We all know our kids are much better behaved when they are well rested and have full tummies.

If your child is prone to acting out in public, it is especially important to make sure you put off play-dates or grocery shopping until after your child is fed and had their nap. If your child does not take naps any more, the best time to run errands would be after they wake up and had breakfast. Even the best behaved child, can act like they are possessed by demons if they are tired and hungry.

Be clear with your expectations

If your child is old enough to understand you, be sure and let them know what you expect from them when you go out, and what the consequences are if they don't act the way they should. Then if they do act out, make sure you stick to your word. If you tell your kids that you will leave if they throw a fit, do it, even if it means leaving a shopping cart full of food in the aisle, or leaving your friends house right in the middle of a cup of coffee.

Make sure you are on the same page with relatives

If your child misbehaves when you go to visit grandma, make sure the same rules apply at their house as your house. Do not let relatives talk you into relaxing the rules that you have set, just because you are in their home. Many grandparents have a hard time saying no to a child, especially a crying child. Make sure your parents know what your expectations are of your child, and that they need to let you be the parent. Being consistent with children is very important in getting them to behave. After all, if your kids know what is expected of them, and get the same consequences when they do misbehave, they are far less likely to push the boundaries again.

by Rachel Goodchild

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