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Even parents who don't effectively use other parenting techniques, like time-out, using natural and logical consequences, distraction or extinction, likely know about reverse psychology.

Using this technique, to get your kids to finish their dinner, you might say something like:

"I bet you can't eat all of those peas in 30 seconds."

or when trying to get him to put away a toy, you might say:

"I'll put it away for you. You probably don't know how to fit it all back in the box anyway."

So you are essentially trying to get your child to do the exact opposite of what you really want him to do.

This should not be confused with trying to make chores fun. If you say 'let's see who can put more toys away in 5 minutes,' then that isn't reverse psychology, since you are actually telling him to do what you what him to do.

TIME-OUT AS A DISCIPLINE TECHNIQUE Time-out is a discipline technique that involves placing children in a very boring place for several minutes following unacceptable behaviors. Time-out really means time out from any attention. Many parents have found time-out to be more effective in improving their children's behavior than hitting, yelling, and threatening. It has been shown to be effective in decreasing various problem behaviors (e.g., temper tantrums, not minding, hitting, etc.). Some parents say they have tried time-out before, and it did not work. In most cases, the reason it failed was because time-out was not used correctly. It is critical that the time-out procedure be followed exactly as stated. It can take only one slight change in the procedure to turn it from being very effective to being ineffective. Consistency in using the time-out procedure is critical. Parents should make sure that all other adults who discipline their children use the same technique.

Time-Out vs. Time-In! By Rachel Webb Have you ever put yourself in time-out? I have! Sometimes I want time-out from the house-work. Time-out from fighting kids. Time-out from laundry. My problem is that I often don't want to come out of "time-out". My room is peaceful and I can avoid all the negative that real life can bring with it. I like time-out and I don't care if I ever let myself out of my room for "Time-In". I'm sure I'm not the only mom out there who has felt like this, but what can we learn from it to become better parents? Using Time-out for bad behavior is hardly a new concept and every classroom I have ever been in has used it in some form or another. But as our childs "teachers" in life, we need to be reminded about the rules for a successful time-out. TIME-IN! Time Out will not be effective if you don't have time-in. Time-in is the "Good Stuff" a child likes. If a child has nothing to lose by going to time-out, and no incentive to be apart of Time-in, it won't work.

Reality Check: When Grandma's too Easy My parents often babysit for my daughter, but never follow my rules. How can I get them to stick to my routine?
By Denene Millner Q My parents often babysit for my daughter, but they put her to bed late, let her leave toys out, and do other things I never do. How can I get them to follow my rules? A When you rely on family for babysitting, getting them to understand why they should parent like you can be dicey — especially if the sitters in question once changed your diapers. They'll be quick to note the irony of your telling them what to do. To get everyone on board, you need to speak up, but you'll catch more flies with honey than vinegar. When Mari was little, I'd "remind" my parents which (healthy) foods she liked to eat, and I'd give them an update on "all the great things" their granddaughter could do: scrape her plate after dinner, pick up her toys, take off her own clothes at bathtime, fall asleep on her own if tucked in by 8 p.m.�impressive signs of her physical advances and mental maturity that my parents couldn't wait to see for themselves.

The Debate over Spanking
by Dawn Ramsburg

Spanking is one of the most controversial discipline methods. On one side of the debate are parents who believe it is all right to spank their children. On the other side are those who think that children should never be spanked. Somewhere in the middle are parents who believe that spanking should only be used in particular instances (e.g., when the child runs into the street). Part of the reason for the debate is that parents and experts often define spanking differently. To some, spanking means "slapping a child on the buttocks" (Straus, 1995, p. 5), while others consider spanking a generic term for any corporal punishment that does not cause an injury, such as slapping a child's hand for touching something forbidden or dangerous. The purpose of this digest is to explore some of the reasons for spanking (using the general definition of any corporal punishment that does not cause an injury), to examine the effectiveness of spanking, and to suggest alternative discipline methods.