We have forgotten that those skills on the more positive side of human nature have to be taught, have to be modeled, have to be practiced.
Ross W. GreeneChallenging behavior is just a signal, the fever, the means by which the kid is communicating that he or she is having difficulty meeting an expectation.
Ross W. GreenePeople don't scream or swear or pout or sulk when there's compatibility. But most growth occurs when there's incompatibility. When it comes to resilience, when it comes to pulling yourself up when you've fallen down, you don't learn those things when things are going well. You learn those things when you're struggling.
Ross W. GreeneMy advice to educators is collaborate with parents; they know a lot about their kids.
Ross W. GreeneBe your kid's collaborative partner, but also be a collaborative partner with the folks at school. Schools can be pretty unilateral too. Show them you know how to collaborate. Show them this is not about power. Let them know detentions and suspensions and paddling don't solve the problems that are affecting kids' lives. Those problems can be identified and solved but not by being punitive.
Ross W. Greene