Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child - Nanny Coach Is On the Scene to Dispel the Myths On National Spank Out Day April 30

Certified Parenting Coach Offers 5 Guidelines for Raising a Well-Behaved Child; Nanny Coach offers Effective Discipline Alternatives to Spanking

Quogue, NY (PRWEB) April 20, 2005 -- National SpankOut Day is April 30, and Michelle McGarity, CEO of Nanny Coach, asks parents to recognize the day by using child-rearing practices that help develop caring, responsible, and self-disciplined adults, not by spanking or hitting.

"Parents can raise responsible children by being consistent about rules, and giving consequences for disobeying rules," said McGarity. "Hitting children sometimes leads to injuries and is not effective in teaching children better behavior. It simply teaches that it is all right to hurt others who are smaller and weaker."

Currently, eleven European nations do not permit hitting children in homes, schools or daycare. McGarity feels that if millions of parents can manage children's behavior every day without hitting, than American parents can manage it for one day.

To help parents raise good, responsible children without hitting, the Nanny Coach is offering information on positive discipline methods:

1. Whenever possible, teach rather than punish. The goal of discipline is to teach children acceptable behavior. Hitting children does not teach acceptable behavior, it teaches children that "might makes right" and hitting is a way to solve problems.

2. Whenever possible, make consequences relate to misbehavior and make sure they are reasonable and clear. If a child hurts someone's feelings, the child should apologize. It the child makes a mess, he/she should clean it up.

3. Don't argue or nag children about rules. If a rule is broken, remind the child of the rule and the consequence for not following the rule.

4. Be a good role model in your speech and actions. Remember, children emulate what the see and hear.

5. Catch your child being good. Your praise or hug will increase appropriate behavior.

6. Distract infants and toddlers when they are doing something you don't like or remove them from the situation. Infants and toddlers do not understand right and wrong and should not be hit or shaken.

7. Recognize when you need help, and get it.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 866-353-8993 or email: info@nannycoach.com.

About Nanny Coach

Founded in 2004 by Michelle McGarity, Nanny Coach offers products and services that teach a new approach to parenting that shifts the focus back to the parents, and away from the kids using the "5 Steps to Joyful Parenting" approach. Michelle McGarity is a certified graduate of the Parent as Coach Academy, and has completed Coach U's Core Essentials Program. She facilitates Love & Logic parent education classes and has also written and facilitates a Parent-Teen conflict resolution program. A lifelong advocate of children and families, she has also mentored mothers and children in high-need situations for the past 8 years. Nanny Coach programs are available all over the United States and Canada. For more information, please visit Nanny Coach on the web at www.nannycoach.com

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