AboutEvelyn Petersen Expertise I`ve been a weekly parenting columnist for the Knight Ridder papers for 18 years and have answered hundreds of parent questions on at least 200 different topics, most of which related to educational, behavioral and family issues. I`m also a mom, grandmom and author of 7 parenting books. My advice is practical, direct, and positive.
Experience My experience as a mother and grandmother is just as important as my 40 years in the field of education. My degrees are in Child and Family Life and Education. I've taught in settings from preschool centers to family homes, and from private and public schools to college classrooms. I'm also an active consultant for Head Start and other early childhood programs.
Organizations National Assn. for the Education of Young Children
Assn. for Childhood Education International
National Federation of Press Women
Publications Weekkly parenting columns in the Knight Ridder papers and Wire Service from 1984 to present
Author of eight books: "A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Planning" and "A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Curriculum, Second Ed" Allyn & Bacon; "Growing Happy Kids", "Growing Creative Kids", "Growing Thinking Kids", and "Growing Responsible Kids" McGraw-Hill/Totline imprint; "1,2,3, Blocks" McGraw-Hill/Totline imprint; and "Sams Teach Yourself e-Parenting Today" Macmillan USA. My writing also appears in the Nashville Tennessean, on women.com and on tnpc.com (The National Parenting Center)as well as on my own web site (www.askevelyn.com)and other link-related sites. I am also a regular feature writer for "Children and Families" magazine.
Education/Credentials BA Child Development/Family Life; Purdue University
MA Education (early ed priority); Central Mich. University
Awards and Honors Honored by the Michigan State Legislature and the Michigan Childrens' Trust Fund for the Prevention of Child Abuse for writing that helps to promote positive parenting skills. Winner of several Press Women Awards for various columns. Winner of Parents' Choice Recommended Award for the book "Growing Responsible Kids".
Question How long is long enough to ground a 5 year old boy...no TV, no play and just siiting on a bed seems extreme to me for a child this young. He has had periods of a week and longer...his grounding is due to playing rough, not sitting still on school bus and then lying about being good at school so he can play when he gets home. I have tried to tell my daughter in law that this may be the wrong tactic.
Answer I agree, Sam, this is not appropriate for a 5 yr old at all and especially an active one. Grounding rarely works, even for teens. They would do better to set up a way to earn a reward with GOOD behavior days. eg He could get a gold star on the calendar for every day he was good on the bus, or did not play rough. Then after 5 stars or whatever, (make it easy for him to get the first few rewards and then up the ante if needed) he can get to choose the dessert for dinner, or get to see a video, or have a friend over to play. The reward nas to be something meaningful, that he cares about. You set it up and explain it and then start doing it. ALSO give him praise for doing the right thing. (He is lying becuase of fear that he cannot get to play and would have to sit on the bed for hours, wouldn't you?) ALSO she should go to the school and talk with the teacher about ways to reward him there for GOOD effort and behavior. Consequences or punsihments should be logical and age appropriate.
Evelyn See askevelyn.com
