Encouraging Good Behavior

Do you know what is stressful for your child? Do you know how to promote good behavior without stressing yourself? These were topics that were addressed in this weeks Strengthening Families program. During the two hour session, parents met to talk about techniques that help promote good behavior. Things like recognizing and complimenting good behavior, using a reward system for good behavior, developing a point system to teach good behavior, and building positive relationships.
The youth met separately from the adults to talk about stress and how it affects their behavior. They identified the things that are stressful in their life and how it makes them feel. They learned the difference between positive and negative behaviors when dealing with stress and how to handle stressful situations with healthy alternatives.
Together the families learned about the importance of family meetings and even conducted one before leaving. They also designed a privileges and reward chart and started planning some fun family activities. At the end, the parents and children were able to identify things that the youth wanted to work towards by showing good behavior and gave the parents some tools to use to promote good behavior and discourage negative behavior.
The Strengthening Families Program is a 6 week program that promotes family communication and addresses tough issues like behavior, substance abuse, and self esteem. The program is joint effort between North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Centers' Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development Programs. It is being funded thanks to funds received from United Way. For more information about this program, please contact Christy Strickland, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent, at (910) 671-3276 or by E-mail at Christy_Strickland@ncsu.edu.