Positive Parenting: 'Poor harmony in the home means it is time to set goals for change'

IF FAMILY life is a constant battle to keep everyone happy and maintain harmony in the home, then it is time to set some goals for change, writes CHRIS GARNER.
With any action plan the goals need to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time related. 
Using this SMART approach will be the difference between success and failure. 
Firstly, identify what needs to change; include all family members in agreeing the changes. 
Discuss how you will know when there is an improvement. 
Keep goals achievable and give yourself and the family a time frame in which for the changes should be in place and working effectively. 
An example is bedtimes - agree a bedtime routine as well as the rules, ie: staying in bed until morning. 
In order to measure the success of the plan use a tally sheet or a star chart which your child can complete each morning after a successful night. 
In order to ensure this is achievable discuss bedtimes and consider other aspects such as older children going to bed later, etc. 
Be realistic as there may be changes, for instance weekends or during school holidays. 
A time for the new changes being in place and working well needs to be agreed. Once you set off on the journey to making changes ensure that there is a time limit agreed where things are settled and changed, continuing something that clearly isn’t working will just add to stress levels. 
Review how things have changed after a week or so and adjust the goals for change accordingly.