PARENTING SKILLS:
Problem/Solution List
Children are more likely to follow a discipline plan when they help to create it. Rather than tell her son (for the hundredth time) what she thought were all the issues he needed to work on, one mom asked him to list what he thought were his problems. Every time he mentioned one, Mom would write it down and say "And what else?" until he could not identify any additional issues he was having. It surprised his mother that he even listed as problems things that had not occurred to her.
After the problem list was completed, she asked him to list changes he could make that would help solve any of the problems he was having. They noticed that many of the solutions he came up with could help with more than one problem!
They also listed ways they could tell the solutions were helping the problems, and the benefit of each change.
Below is the list the young man developed.
The numbers in parentheses are the problem numbers each solution helps out with.
| PROBLEM |
SOLUTION |
MEASURE |
GOAL |
| 1. Not turning in or doing homework. |
Writing down all homework in assignment notebook. (1,2,3,8) |
Assignments listed for each class every day |
To do all homework every day |
| 2. Doing bad on tests. |
When I study, make outlines, timelines, flashcards. (2,3) |
Grades on tests get better |
Increase grade point average by 1 grade by next report card |
| 3. Being disorganzied. |
Keeping binders up-to-date and organized. (3, 6, 8) |
Being able to find things when I need them. |
To have control over my life. |
| 4. Sleep deprivation. |
Go to sleep at a decent hour. (4,5,6) |
Being less grouchy. |
To be healthy. |
| 5.Distractions. |
Possibly changing/increasing meds. (5, 6) |
Focusing when I need to. |
To be able to focus on what's important. |
| 6.Focusing on classwork. |
Keeping TV, Gameboy, non-school books away from study area. (1, 5, 6, 8) |
Having assignments in one place every day, having good class notes. |
To be able to do my homework before it's due. |
| 8. Prioritizing my homework schedule |
Create a schedule and assignment notebook. (3, 6, 10) |
Having the important things ready on time. |
Complete the most important things when I have to. |
| 9. Leaving on time in the morning. |
Get up on time and have clothes ready the night before. (3, 4, 9) |
Being ready to go on time at least three mornings a week. |
To have a relaxed morning before school. |
10. Coming home late from after school activities and not completing homework. |
Get jumpstart on homework in morning for future assignments. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10) |
Having homework ready to hand in the day it's due. |
Turning in homework on time. |
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Do homework on the bus on the way to and from school. (10) |
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Laundry done on weekends. (9) |
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Ask for help when I need it. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) |
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