Colman Noctor: Focus on your child, not their behaviour 

Parents often believe their task is to change the behaviour, but this is a later part of the process — the first thing to do is step back and understand the meaning behind your child’s behaviour

It’s often counterproductive to look for quick results with children - moderation is a more realistic approach when the goal is emotional wellbeing. Picture: iStock

THE temptation to buy into the “new year, new me” movement is at an all-time high at the start of the year. For those with children, it can involve a plan to alter their parenting approaches, often so they can better manage challenging behaviour. Some may adopt a strict plan that promises dramatic results in a short period, with little or no effort required.

However, making grand gestures is rarely effective. In my most recent book, The 4-7 Zone, I promoted the concept of moderation to maintain mental fitness. After the book was published in April 2023, I soon realised that pitching “moderation” is a hard sell. The “slow and steady wins the race” and the promotion of “small achievable goals” isn’t a catchy narrative.