I've always disliked the "Santa Mythos" because the "only good kids get presents" bit is misleading, as most kids get presents regardless of behavior.
Anyway.
I don't know, that's a pretty difficult position. You need to be firm in your resolutions and follow through on any and all punishments you say will be coming, but that means you have to be careful about when you hand out punishments.
But, the attitude is probably normal for the age (I say probably because I don't see it everyday, obviously, and I can't say how normal by frequency it is, since that's important). She's still at a very young development stage, so it's difficult. She's egocentric still, and that's not her fault, it's just how kids that age are. You can't do the "think of how other people feel when you hit them" because, biologically, she simply can't do that yet, that's a few more years away.
Saying she needs to improve isn't going to work, she doesn't know what that means. You need to give more concrete examples for her. Everything has to be concrete, black and white, and very clear. Also things will probably still need to be presented as choices, instead of "do this" situations (it's easier said than done, I know). "You can either stop hitting or go sit in time out."
I think taking away all her presents might be a bit too extreme, though. If you get this in time, it might be best to just leave her one, and try and explain that her recent behavior is why she's only getting one present, since she was a good girl earlier in the year. And again, that might not work, either. It's kind of hard to help so far away without constant contact, you know?
Make an appointment with your pediatrician as soon as possible and discuss her behavior with the doctor, they're more trained in this than anyone on LJ, and if you've had regular checkups, would have a closer understanding of her than us.
Anyway.
I don't know, that's a pretty difficult position. You need to be firm in your resolutions and follow through on any and all punishments you say will be coming, but that means you have to be careful about when you hand out punishments.
But, the attitude is probably normal for the age (I say probably because I don't see it everyday, obviously, and I can't say how normal by frequency it is, since that's important). She's still at a very young development stage, so it's difficult. She's egocentric still, and that's not her fault, it's just how kids that age are. You can't do the "think of how other people feel when you hit them" because, biologically, she simply can't do that yet, that's a few more years away.
Saying she needs to improve isn't going to work, she doesn't know what that means. You need to give more concrete examples for her. Everything has to be concrete, black and white, and very clear. Also things will probably still need to be presented as choices, instead of "do this" situations (it's easier said than done, I know). "You can either stop hitting or go sit in time out."
I think taking away all her presents might be a bit too extreme, though. If you get this in time, it might be best to just leave her one, and try and explain that her recent behavior is why she's only getting one present, since she was a good girl earlier in the year. And again, that might not work, either. It's kind of hard to help so far away without constant contact, you know?
Make an appointment with your pediatrician as soon as possible and discuss her behavior with the doctor, they're more trained in this than anyone on LJ, and if you've had regular checkups, would have a closer understanding of her than us.
Good luck.
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