Is your picky eater actually picky?

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Last week, we asked you to vote on a question to answer. The winner was:

What’s the best way to discipline my child?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Aliza Pressman, PhD

Author of “The 5 Principles of Parenting,” cofounder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, and host of the podcast Raising Good Humans

We want to make sure we’re approaching discipline from the viewpoint of teaching and not punishment, says Pressman. “Science tells us that punishment doesn’t ultimately yield compliance — although it’s satisfying to a parent’s brain.” 

“Teaching will get you into a relationship with your child that can help them learn how to move through the world with more ease, more thoughtfulness, and a better capacity to regulate themselves,” she says. 

 “Consequences…are more effective than punishment,” adds Pressman. Here are two types of consequences that will help them learn:

• Natural consequences happen without your intervention. For example: If your kid breaks their toy, the consequence is they no longer have a toy. There’s nothing for you to do, except stop yourself from replacing the toy.

• Logical consequences require a response. They reinforce the expectations you have of your child in a given situation. For example, if your toddler uses their toy wand to hit their brother, a logical consequence would be to take the wand away for a few days until they’re ready to use it properly.

“Remember, all feelings are welcome, [but] all behaviors are not,” says Pressman.

Let us help you get your spot. We’re building a new tool to guide you through making major life decisions, like who should care for your kids. Check out our five-step guide with expert-backed info on how to pick a daycare that’s right for you. Then let us know how we could improve it. We want to make your life easier, one choice at a time.

Lovevery's Music Play Set is Worth the $$ 

If you want a fun way to introduce the foundations of music to your little one, start here. The set ($120) is for kids 18 months and older. It comes with real instruments that help teach basic notes, breath control, and rhythm. The price may feel steep, but it includes quality bells, a flute, a concertina (like an accordion), jingle bracelet, and shakers that are colorful, well-made, and will hold up for years. There’s also a metronome that relates tempo to different animal’s speeds. 

Our parenting writer Claudia Rupcich says she had as much fun using the set as her 2-year-old son: “I love that it comes with guides that help you compose songs and teach different skills. I can see my son playing with this set for the next several years.”