Discipline-professional advice

[Cookiemg]

Hi, I have a 3 year old who is driving crazy she undermines my authority constantly and oversteps any boundaries I set- she completely plays me and each day that we are together involves me losing my temper at least once! I hate it and feel so out of control. I suffered from pnd for 18 months and during that undiagnosed time let a lot of things slip due to lack of energy, knowledge and guilt. I was wondering if anyone knew of someone who would observe us in our home and make recommendations. I have tried to contact the 'parent guru' but she doesn't seem to exist anymore. lots of thanks.

Hi,

sorry to hear you are having difficulties. It's not uncommon at this age as they really do like to test those boundaries! I'm in England and we have Childrens Centres which are govt funded and which can give advice and support on all areas to do with parenting the under-5s. They often run a really useful parenting programme called 'The Incredible Years' based on a book of the same name by Carolyn Webster-Stratton. This is an excellent course, so good that the Welsh Assembly have stated that it is their aim that every parent in Wales should have the chance to attend. I'm sure that there will be places in and around Edinburgh that do this too.

Anyway, if you search under any of these (Childrens Centre, Webster-Stratton, Incredible Years) you might get some leads - hope this helps.

Following on from macred's advice, your health visitor may be able to help (they're meant to support families until age 5). Mine was wonderful, though I know they can be a bit hit and miss.

Hi Cookie, I am a chartered psychologist and have been working in this area for many years. I am currently in the process of setting up my business to support and offer advice to parents in exactly the way you have described. I can offer you a home based consultation and observation with recommendations to follow. I am based in Edinburgh. If you want any more info or want to chat further, then please pm me. I am reluctant to post contact details on here as I do not want to break any advertising rules! Thanks.

I also really liked "How to talk to kids..."
www.amazon.co.uk/Talk-Kids-Will-Listen-Child/dp/1853407054
it has a number of strategies how to react in "standard" situations to avoid losing your temper and to get your child to "comply"...

Good luck!