Source: Dr. Gary Landrath. Choices, Cookies, and Kids (DVD). This DVD is a brief, helpful intervention for parents looking for a creative approach to teaching their kids discipline and self-responsibility. Dr. Gary Landrath is a nerdy, yet likable speaker, and gives great examples of his Oreo cookie theory at work in his own home.
*Children want our attention, and will do whatever they must to get it.
*It's not what you do, but what you do after what you have done. Teaches child that relationships can be mended and that it's okay to admit when you've made a mistake.
Oreo cookie theory: Based on the question, "When will she learn what it feels like to make a choice?" Big choices are given to big kids. Little choices are given to little kids. Key word = "choose" (i.e. You may choose to have one oreo cookie, or you may choose to have no oreo cookies. You may choose to quit fighting or you may choose to lose television priveleges for the rest of the evening.)
*Choice-giving teaches self-control and self-responsibility. At the very moment a person chooses, (s)he commits to the decision (You can't take back a choice.) He gives the example of his two daughters making the choice to fight in the back seat of the car or watching their favorite television show. The choice is made the very moment they begin to fight in the car.
*Walk 5 years down the road and look back at a situation. The solution becomes crystal clear.
*Don't overdose on choices. Work on one or two things at a time.
