| k in the house after a long day at work, and | | | | rest of the family is aware that this is very |
| immediately smell something you shouldn't. It's not | | | | important. Then, work on remaining calm. You are |
| the smell of dinner being prepared, it's the smell of | | | | addressing the situation before the house has |
| burning plastic. You quickly spot your young son in | | | | burned down. Finally, find someone that can |
| the corner of the living, looking very suspicious. | | | | explain the dangers of fire to Kevin, such as a |
| "Kevin, are you playing with matches again?" | | | | fireman. |
| Naturally, Kevin says no. "I smell something | | | | Step Five: Do it. Be diligent about keeping matches |
| burning, are you sure?" Right next to Kevin are | | | | out of Kevin's reach. Take Kevin to the fire |
| several used matches, along with a melted plastic | | | | station, and have a fireman work with Kevin. |
| toy. You explode, "Kevin, you're going to burn the | | | | Fireman Bob can show Kevin pictures of fires, |
| house down! What are you thinking? I've told you | | | | explain how a small match can start a very big |
| over and over not to play with matches!" | | | | fire, and that it is very hard work to put out a big |
| We know that fires are dangerous things, but to | | | | fire. Fireman Bob can explain that people need to |
| a five year old, matches are just a novelty. So | | | | be careful around matches, and ask Kevin to |
| how do you solve your problem without | | | | agree not to play with matches unless a parent is |
| overreacting? Try the six logic steps. | | | | present. |
| Step One: What is your problem? You have a five | | | | Mom and Dad, when your child does something |
| year old that continues to play with matches | | | | that is dangerous, it's easy to overreact. And |
| after you've told him not to. He isn't listening. | | | | when you act suspicious of your child, they will |
| Step Two: Analyze your problem. Is getting angry | | | | generally lie. Kids don't do well with lectures of |
| helping the situation? Naturally, if you're mad, | | | | right and wrong. Fireman Bob doesn't lecture - he |
| Kevin will try to hide what he was doing. He's not | | | | lets Kevin play, and uses play time, pictures, and |
| listening because you aren't communicating with | | | | simple statements to explain fire. Kevin will |
| him correctly. He is young, and doesn't understand | | | | understand much better this way. And Kevin will |
| how dangerous fire can be. And each time, he has | | | | understand you, if you calmly use statements |
| been able to find matches to play with. | | | | instead of accusing questions. Make an agreement |
| Step Three: Come up with solutions. First, | | | | with Kevin about telling the truth. "I think you |
| matches should be completely out of Kevin's | | | | want me to always tell you the truth, so you |
| reach. Then, remember that overreacting isn't | | | | need to be fair and tell the truth to me, too. Can |
| helping. If Kevin isn't listening to you, who can help | | | | we agree to tell the truth?" Shake on it. And |
| him understand how dangerous fire is? | | | | remember, Kevin is young. He will break your |
| Step Four: Make a plan. Put the matches in a | | | | agreement. But stay calm and remind him of the |
| place that Kevin is unable to reach. Be sure the | | | | agreement, and he will start to remember. |