Replies to '05/20 The Dr. Phil House: Brat Camp'

The child has learned that if he or she can hold out, the reward or activity will still come.  Hold your ground, and if the problem persists, take away more.  Then reinforce good behavior with praise and a slow return of activities and interests.  Hope this helps.

sometimes family therapy helps. a person looking in from outside, getting a different perspective.

 I think Dr. Phil's stand on spanking is absolutely right on the button.  It only teaches the child to use violence.  You get short term results at the expense of your child's long term learning.

I was surprised at your letter because there is SOOOO much you can to do influence your child.  Granted, once they have learned that bad behavior will get them what they want it's harder to change it.  However,  stripping down your child's rooms to only the necessities and gradually bringing back items as rewards for good behavior is an excellent way to re-educate your child.  Sometimes you have to look very hard for a behavior to reward, but it does work.   Consistency is the path to follow here.......this is all advice that Dr. Phil has given to frustrated parents.

It certainly isn't an easy project....but then again, no one ever said parenting was easy. 
Parenting isn't for the feint of heart!!  :)

I had my out of control 9 year old throw his shoes and a hard plastic bowl at my head while I was driving with 3 other kids in the car. I stopped in a parking lot-next to child protective services of all places!-and then had him get out of the car and told him to sit and settle down on the curb. He wouldn't and I had to keep grabbing his arm and putting him back on the curb. A group of road workers called the police, but CPS who saw the insident told me I was doing the right thing and asked if I needed help with an intervention and hospitaliztion for my child. You keep your cool and continue to do what needs to be done and hopefully you will be supported. Good Luck, I know how hard it is. I could barely watch the Brat Camp episodes with out crying and being irritated that I was reliving my fights with my son.