Do you Have a Parenting Plan?

Do you have a parenting plan? Take this quiz, used with permission of the author, Elizabeth Pantley, author, speaker, and mother of four. Ms. Pantley has written two excellent books - Perfect Parenting, and Kid Cooperation. She also writes a newsletter, Parent Tips, that is distribiuted to schools nationwide.

In your family, are each of the following statements "usually true" or "usually false?"

Usually   Usually   True        False               Our house is a gathering place for the neighborhood kids             My children have daily chores                 Throughout the day, I give my child choices, instead of always giving orders             My children are in bed at the same time almost every night.             My kids use "Please" and "Thank You" when they talk to me             I use "Please" and "Thank you" when I talk to my kids.              My instructions tend to be brief and specific (I do not lecture).             I do not give in to my child's nagging, whining and pleading              We have specific rules and everybody in the family knows them             When I say it, I mean it, and my kids know this.             My kids clean up their own messes.             Our family eats dinner together             I trust my children             I am consistent in the things that I say "no" or "yes" to             When a problem occurs, we address it, solve the problem, and then its over             I compliment my children at least twice as often as I criticize them              I am involved in PTA and other school activities             The first thing I say to my children in the morning are pleasant and loving             The last words I say to my children at night are pleasant and loving             I learn about parenting by reading books and articles or by taking classes

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