| I had never really associated football with | | | | team when they are home and a different set |
| being a single father, other than both | | | | for when they are on the road? Of course not. |
| happened on weekends. After all, what do two | | | | Keep this in mind when establishing your |
| teams trying to score touchdowns have to do | | | | structure. This does not mean that your home |
| with raising children? However, I soon | | | | has be run the same as their other parent's; |
| realized that all the elements that make | | | | yet, do not go to extremes to make it the |
| football so fun and exciting to watch was the | | | | opposite. There are some benefits to having |
| answer to also making my parenting time fun | | | | some consistency for your children. Plus, |
| and meaningful. Here are some | | | | this makes it less likely your children will |
| examples:Parenting Tip #1: Clarify the | | | | be able to manipulate the parent at either |
| playing field | | | | home.Parenting Tip #5: Be consistent |
| | | | |
| Every football field has sidelines and end | | | | Nothing upsets football players, coaches, |
| zones. This allows the players to know what | | | | and fans more than when the referees call an |
| the field of play is and when they get | | | | inconsistent game. That is why there are six |
| rewarded. Children also need this same | | | | referees, whistles, and instant replays. As |
| structure as they may be unsure about what is | | | | single parents we do not have the luxury of |
| acceptable behavior is and what is not, plus | | | | instant replays to see what really happened, |
| when they get rewarded.Parenting Tip #2: | | | | nor am I suggesting you wear a whistle. |
| Establish basic rules | | | | Notwithstanding, once the structure is |
| | | | established, it should not change on a |
| Football players know to stay on their side | | | | regular basis. This will allow your children |
| until the ball is snapped, you cannot rough | | | | to adjust to the expectations, thus making |
| the quarterback, and after ten yards you get | | | | your life as a single parent easier.Parenting |
| a first down. Rules help children of all ages | | | | Tip #6: There will be rule infractions |
| understand when they are not behaving in a | | | | |
| way that meets your expectations. However, | | | | Even within a football game there are still |
| you do not need a rule for everything. John | | | | times when infractions happen. Defensive |
| Madden, former NFL Coach and long-time TV | | | | holding is a five-yard penalty, while |
| Analyst, said, The fewer rules a coach has, | | | | roughing the kicker is a 15-yard penalty and |
| the fewer rules there are for players to | | | | an automatic first down. Similarly, children |
| break.In my home, we only have six | | | | will occasionally break the rules. When this |
| rules:There's no maid, so everyone helps out | | | | happens, there is a benefit to the parent if |
| encourages teamwork. | | | | the penalty for poor behavior is |
| | | | pre-determined. I suggest involving the |
| One thing at a time shows there should be | | | | children in determining what a fair penalty |
| some form of order. | | | | is. For example, if your child comes home |
| | | | more than 10 minutes late, then he/she should |
| We share and take turns promotes | | | | not plan on going out the following day. If |
| cooperation. | | | | they are aware of this ahead of time, there |
| | | | will be little argument and less stress for |
| First things, first can be applied to | | | | you as the parent.Parenting Tip #7: Time outs |
| homework before snack, etc. | | | | need to be managed |
| | | | |
| Dirty clothes go in the hamper helps arrange | | | | Finally, when a quarterback doesn't like |
| things in a certain way. | | | | what he sees from the defense, he calls a |
| | | | time out. He goes to the sideline, talks it |
| Say please and thank you creates an | | | | over, has a drink of water, and then goes on |
| environment of respect and appreciation. | | | | with the game. Although time out is a common |
| | | | form of discipline, remember to explain what |
| Parenting Tip #3: Allow for choices | | | | behavior your children displayed that was |
| | | | unacceptable and how long they will be in |
| In football, a team can choose to run or | | | | time out. A rule of thumb is one minute for |
| pass or on fourth down to go for it or punt. | | | | each year old they are. Do this without |
| Your guidelines should allow for choices | | | | yelling, so the child focuses on their |
| within a certain parameter, thus helping | | | | behavior and not yours. After a short time, |
| children feel they have at least some | | | | give them a drink of water, thus changing |
| control. Plus, by establishing guidelines, | | | | their focus from being upset to settling |
| your children's choices will be | | | | down. When the time is up, have them explain |
| acceptable.Parenting Tip #4: Same game home | | | | why they were on time out, give them a hug |
| or away | | | | (or in football, a friendly pat on the butt), |
| | | | thank them for not doing it in the future, |
| Are there one set of rules for a football | | | | and go on with your day. |