What is a transition? Transitions are the time period right after one activity ends, and just before a new activity begins. In other words, transitions are the period of time in-between, changing from one activity to the next. Depending on how a transition is structured, a transition can last seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, or even years!
Did you know that the most challenging human behaviors (defiance, arguments, tantrums, fighting, etc.) all occur during transitions? How does this happen? This happens because transitions have no rules, no structure, and people usually do not know what will happen next.
Let's take a moment to examine some major transitions we are presented with during our lives. These major life transitions include the following:
Birth/Death
Starting/Ending a Job
Moving (in/out of an apartment/home)
Marriages/Divorces
Starting School
Ending School
These major transitions bring to people some of the greatest joys, as well, as their greatest sorrows.
Although, how to handle these major life transitions are not the focus of this manual, they are extremely important to note.Now, let's take a moment to examine the major transitions that occur daily. These major daily transitions include the following:
Waking up/Getting Ready for Day
Meal times
Bed Time
Bath Time
Leaving the House
Car Rides
Coming home/Evenings
Homework/House Hold Chores
These transitional periods throughout the day can put a strain on any parent. That is in this article I wanted to let parents know that these transitions exist. Being aware of these transitional times help alleviate (even eliminate) challenging behaviors during these times.
Too often parents are not aware of these transition times, and they expect their child/teen to move on a "moments notice". Make sure when going through these transitional periods of the day you give at least a 10 minute warning before you move to the next scheduled activity.
Parenting Mistake Number 5 - Expecting a Transition Without Any Warning