Good behaviour is a two-way street – it involves your child listening and you offering guidance. One of the key elements for you both is patience

One problem Supernanny Jo Frost found when she visited the Dostal family was that dad Bill’s impatience with his son’s bad behavior was leading to harsh punishment that often didn’t fit the crime.

Good behavior is a two-way street – it involves your child listening and you offering guidance. So how can you find the patience you need to achieve it? Supernanny used this fun way to show Brian and his five-year-old son how to set the stage for positive discipline and good behaviour.

"I really had to think and slow down and put my mind frame into that 5-year-old head – it helped me be patient!" Bill Dostal

Step 1

Gather up a bowl or bucket and 10 golf balls or small toys (toy cars are ideal).

Step 2

Place the bucket anywhere you like in your back yard and design an obstacle course around it: use your lawn furniture, throw cushions, large toys such as trikes and bikes, your child’s jungle gym – anything that takes your fancy (avoid using potentially dangerous yard equipment). Alternately, play the game at a local playground and use the play equipment as your obstacle course.

Step 3

Place the golf balls or small toys randomly among the obstacles, leaving 10-15 feet between each.

Step 4

Blindfold your child and help him to find the golf balls or toys and make his way over to the bucket to drop them in by giving him directions: ‘left’, ‘right’, ‘straight on’ ‘three big steps’ – you get the picture

Step 5

Now it’s your turn to wear the blindfold and let your child guide you!

What your child has learned? He needs to listen carefully! Learn more about how to get your kids to listen.

What you’ve learned That discipline is about clear instruction and guidance – not raised voices and clips around the head! Learn more about disciplining without getting angry.