I came across a very interesting parenting idea recently on a CD, and while initially sceptical decided to give it a go. It worked!

Basically the idea is that we are in charge of our own ship, but sometimes the pirates take over and we need to boot them out. And who are the pirates? That’s the interesting bit. The pirates are ‘Mister I Can’t’, ‘Mister I Don’t Want To’, ‘Mister Angry’, ‘Mister Sulky’ and so on.

By explaining this to our children we plant the idea that when they are not behaving well, they can choose to boot out the pirates and be in control of their own ship again.

The thing I love about this is that it helps children see that when they are being horrible it isn’t the ‘real them’, and they can choose to be in control, which feels better (and is easier for everyone around them!) So we separate the behaviour from the child (there you go, triple-P fans!), and we can refuse to talk to the pirates, thus encouraging the child to act in a pleasant and calm manner.

Sounds whacky? I agree. But just try it. You might be surprised.