Parent Magazine St. Johns September 2018 | Page 15

05
SET LIMITS.
Too expansive an array of options can fuel anxiety
and indecision. Guidelines can help your child further
simplify the decision. For example, before taking
your child to the toy aisle to spend her birthday
money, discuss what type of toy she would like to
purchase. Tell her she'll have 15 minutes to decide
and then you'll be moving on to finish your other
shopping. Point out items on the aisle she can afford
to further narrow down choices. If she doesn't
decide within the designated time limit, tell her
you'll have to come back later. 
06
UTILIZE EXTERNAL
MOTIVATION .
To motivate your child, offer simple incentives to
achieve desired goals. Sosland suggests turning
privileges that your child may already receive for
"free" into incentives. For example, if your child
sticks to his initial decision about what to eat for
breakfast without argument, helping to keep the
family on schedule, he can listen to the music of his
choice or play his Nintendo DS on the way to school.
Not only will he enjoy the external reward, he'll feel
an internal boost of self-confidence as well.
If indecision causes severe distress, meltdowns and disruption to your child's life, consult with your pediatrician or
pediatric mental health provider. Additional resources include: ADAA.org and Freeing Your Child from Anxiety:
Powerful, Practical Solutions to Overcome Your Child's Fears, Worries and Phobias by Tamar E. Chansky. 
Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two boys who are charmed by all things
digital. Christa’s latest book is Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a
Digital World.
S T. JOHNS
parent
MAGAZINE
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