1.    When you pick up your child do a fun activity or exercise with them to help them transition. It is not easy transitioning between homes. Some examples are dancing, coloring, watching a movie, going to the park, playing a game, etc.

2.    Have your child pick a Behavior chart and allow him/her to color it. (Dollars tree/99cent store/Pinterest) or go to our Resource tab and click on the “Behavior chart” link

3.    You and your child can develop some rules for him/her to follow

4.    You and your child can decide on some rewards and consequences for their behavior

5.    When your child comes home, remind them of the rules and their behavior chart. Go over this with them

6.    When your child returns home on the first day. give them 3 warnings to allow them time to get adjusted. Bare with them the first day, as they have been in a different home with different rules. Give more warnings before implementing consequences.

7.    On the 2nd day of them being home, remind them of the rules each time and give them 2 warnings before giving them a consequence.

Sample Consequences:

•    Time out for 5-10minutes

•    No dessert

•    Toy took away 

•    No TV or no tv for 1 hour

•    No tablet for 1 hour

•    Go to bed early

Sample rewards:

•    Extra tv or playtime

•    Dessert

•    The purchase of a toy

•    Picking the movie for movie night

•    Picking something for dinner

•    Baking cookies or a cake

•    Staying up an extra hour at bedtime

-Shareela Allen, LCSW