Parties are a part of every child’s life, starting at a very young age. It all starts with the baby shower before babies are even born. Then, there is another party after the birth of the child. From there, you have the child’s first birthday, friends have their child’s first birthday, and the parties just keep on going. As your child becomes older, they will go to proms, graduation parties, and eventually celebrate anniversaries and retirement parties.
One of the major aspects of having a successful party for smaller children is having children who behave. After all, nothing is worse than having a party or going to a party with a child that throws a temper tantrum. Just remember that parties are comprised of hyperactive children, usually the result of too much sugar and excessive noise. To make sure your child is not a problem at any party by following a few simple tips.
For instance, prepare your child by establishing firm boundaries. Once at the party, if you see your child crossing over the boundaries agreed upon, quietly pull the child aside, making a firm reminder of the agreement. Unfortunately, you may need to give several reminders. To avoid embarrassment, I strongly recommend you do this in private. Then, if you are getting ready for a party, run through a role-playing session with your child. You should also explain to your child what is likely to happen at the party so there are no surprises. As an example, your child may be imagining clowns, pony rides, and more only to find the party is just a small gathering with cake and ice cream.
At the end of the party, even if you had to remind your child of the agreement a few times, thank your child for trying so hard to follow the rules and be good. Every time you reinforce the good done by your child, you are helping to build his/her self-control and confidence levels. Remember, there is no magic pill and teaching a child party etiquette takes time. With patience, you will be amazed at how quickly your child learns to enjoy parties the right way.