You want things to get better? Write a one-page contract. Do not make it 50 rules. Make it 3 non-negotiables for safety.
Then, list the reward for following these (e.g., Wifi access, phone privileges). List the consequence for breaking them (e.g., Loss of phone for 24 hours, automatic call to a support line). Enforce it like a machine. No anger. Just execution.
Stop asking, "Why did you do that?" He doesn't know. His prefrontal cortex (logic) has been hijacked by his amygdala (fear/rage). Instead, use "what" and "how." jodiwest jodi west my son is out of control better
If you’re reading this, you’ve likely said the words: “My son is out of control.” You feel exhausted, embarrassed, and unsure where to turn. The good news is that “out of control” is a behavior pattern, not a permanent label. And yes — it can get better.
Many parents go straight to punishment. Jodi West’s philosophy (and similar models like Love & Logic) emphasizes that an out-of-control son is a disconnected son. You want things to get better
Connection de-escalates the threat response. You cannot discipline a brain that is on fire.
While we cannot know exactly which Jodi West protocol you are referencing, most evidence-based parenting interventions for out-of-control children agree on the first step: Stop reacting and start documenting. Then, list the reward for following these (e
When you feel your son is out of control, your brain goes into fight-or-flight mode. You yell, you ground him, you take the door off the hinges. This escalates the war.
Instead, do this for 72 hours:
Most parents are shocked to learn that the "out of control" behavior is often functional. It gets him what he wants (escape, attention, control).
