10 Ways to Keep Your Kids from Doing Dumb Things

Be honest. Your child can be very frustrating. All the things your parents used to say to you are now coming out of your mouth. “Am I talking to a brick wall?” “Don’t make me come back there!” “When I was your age we would never get away with that!” Children, to put it mildly, can do the dumbest things. Here are a few helpful ideas to hopefully ease your pain.

1. Online Dangers

   The whole world is on the Internet. The good and the very bad. A child can get in serious peril in a hurry. By all means, be aware of your child’s online activity. Some filters can be helpful, but they can’t block everything. There is no room for you to bury your head in the sand on this one. Talk to your kids openly about the dangers they could encounter. Then follow that up with eyes like a hawk at all times.  Start with making them do their online surfing in the living room, not their bedroom.

2. The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree

   We inherit much from our parents. This includes tendencies. A great deal of the not-so-great ideas you once came up with will be attempted by your child as well. The best way to catch a criminal is to think like one, right? Same thing applies here. Try to remember the world through the eyes of a 12 year old. It will be very beneficial in preventing things before they ever occur.

3. The Famous Money Tree

   We all wish it existed. Of course, it certainly does not. Children, especially teenagers, tend to treat money like it can never run out. Sadly, many adults do as well. Teach your children the importance of money management. Give them an allowance that is earned by designated chores. Money falling from trees is never going to happen.

4. Loose Lips Sink Ships

   Everyone has said things in their life they would like to take back. Mom was right. “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Being honest is great. Being straight forward is also great. However, tactfulness and politeness are equally important. Teach your children to control their tongues. This one trait can take a person far in life. It’s called not burning bridges.

5. The Cell Phone Blues

   The mobile phone has become a permanent part of our being. It’s like an extra limb. Yes, they are helpful and awesome in so many ways. They are also a great way to get into a lot of trouble for your children. Teachers loathe them. Schools ban them. They go off in the middle of church at the worst possible moments. They are annoying and also potentially dangerous to your child’s welfare. “Sexting” is reaching epidemic levels in our society. It is very important you discuss and monitor the cell phone use of your kids.

6. The Case of The Clean Underwear

   “Always wear clean underwear in case you’re in an accident.” Did this ever actually happen to anyone? Not sure. However, good personal hygiene is not always the best quality of your kids. Just getting them to brush their teeth can take an act of Congress. Kids get verbally abused at school daily for their bad habits. This can all be avoided by developing simple and necessary routines. Brushing and flossing their teeth, combing their hair, using deodorant, wearing clean clothes. You get the picture. What seems like common sense to you seems like a pain in the rear to your child until they see the value of it.

7. The Importance of Choosing Friends

   Peer pressure is a mighty thing and talked about often on this site. The people your kids spend their time with have a great deal of influence on them. For instance, if your son spends a lot of time with a buddy whose favorite movie is Jackass, you are going to see that reflected in his behavior. Have the discussion about friend selection with your children. Best to have that talk before you are rushing him to the hospital after breaking his arm. He did so attempting to skateboard off the roof.

8. Manners Aren’t Just For Holidays

   “Don’t talk with your mouth full.” “Inside voices!” “The proper term is yes, sir!” Manners. Somewhat of a lost art in our society. It seems there are so many battles to fight that this one gets shoved aside. Then it rears its ugly head at a neighborhood dinner party. You are mortified at the behavior of your kids. A horrible feeling for a parent. Enforce the most basic of manners in your household at all times. Teach them the meaning of respect and keep your kids from looking dumb.

9. The Eye Poking

   “You’re going to poke your eye out with that thing!” We all heard it. It’s for certain it actually happened to some kid too. Life in general is full of dangers. We can’t shelter our kids from all of it. We can, however, prevent a lot of unnecessary accidents. If you own guns, make sure they are locked up. If you have lighters in the house, keep them away from a child’s reach. Medicine. Household cleaning products. And yes, pointy things. They all have their place and it’s not in the hands of an unknowing child. Safeguard your home.

10. Lying In The Bed You Made

    Consequences. The sure fire way to prevent your kids from doing dumb things. “You made your bed, now lie in it.” The wisdom of Mom never fails. It is imperative that you discipline your children. Yes it is difficult and sometimes heartbreaking to do. It is also the greatest act of love by a parent.

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