Have you ever had to confront your spirited child when you just KNEW it had the potential to go really, really wrong? Take a deep breath and imagine you are your child...someone has to give you feedback/bad news/a job to do. How would you need to hear that statement in order for you to actually be ok with it? What words would ease you and make you want to comply? Then use that language to communicate with your child. Simple, direct and gentle.

Our kids actions can sometimes be so frustrating, particularly in public. But how many times do we lose it and discipline our kids for behavior that's more embarrassing than it is "wrong"? Model control and good choices by taking a breath and asking yourself, "how would I want my child to handle this with a friend?".