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MySpace, Your Space Whose Space Is It, Anyway?
Experts Teach Parents How to Take Back Control
In their book and in the workshops they present across the nation, the Hatches share several tools for replacing the negative influences with discipline, teaching and love. Their top 3 tactics include these:
Hugs. "Hugging is one of the most important gifts we can give our children," the Hatches write. "Hugging seems to help those who suffer from everything from depression to anorexia. Parents can dramatically transform their family by simply making hugging a part of their routine."
- Role playing. The Hatches use role-playing to allow their children to practice in advance for potential real-life scenarios. "We use this time to clearly tell our children how we feel about drugs, alcohol and sex," the authors write. "We help them understand that when something feels right or wrong, it probably is."
- Family Night. "If you want to take control of your home, start by setting aside one evening a week that your family spends together," the Hatches write. "We have picked one night out of the week to get our kids away from the hustle and bustle that goes along with raising seven kids, running a business and living in a busy urban area." The Hatches' book describes their format for Family Nights as well as explaining how to use these "times alone" to reclaim the family and to instill values.