Correcting

Undesired

Behavior

with positive results
 

Television watching is one of the most powerful reinforcing events in the contemporary American home. Nothing needs less elaboration than that fact.

From the studies I read and have done, it is difficult, if not impossible, to reach any conclusion but that TV viewing in families has gotten completely out of hand. Its causal relationship to poor health, obesity, violence, low-school performance, hyperactivity, and warped values, to name a few, has been solidly established. If TV viewing is going to be controlled and put into proper perspective in children's lives, it will have to be done at home.

When devising a TV management program, create an environment in which there are highly positive consequences for not watching TV. Simply telling children "No TV!" is not adequate. There has to be a highly desirable, incompatible behavior to take the place of TV viewing.

Put into place a system that is manageable. Make it as simple to manage as possible. Like a machine, the fewer number of moving parts, the less likely the system will break down.

Be precise, consistent, and disciplined when managing the system. Children will bug their parents to death to get them to weaken. Don't weaken. Be compassionate, empathetic, understanding, calm, and firm! Otherwise, you're dead in the water!

When children aren't watching TV, be sure to have lots and lots of positive verbal and physical interactions with them.

Product References

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The Power of Positive Parenting (book); pp 299-305

Parenting With Love (book); p 71