Please encourage your child to talk about some of the skills they have learned in the I-CARE program. These skills will help your child to become a more confident, caring, and responsible youngster. There are many enjoyable ways to apply "I-CARE" Cat’s rules, which are based on the philosophy that all human beings are precious and deserve to be treated with dignity. "I-CARE" cat celebrates the diversity of people while recognizing their commonality. "I-CARE" Kids treat everyone, including themselves, fairly and with respect.

Encourage your child to talk about experiences, feelings, and ideas. Develop good listening skills by having them repeat stories, songs, and directions. Take time to listen without interruption or criticism. Your patience will build trust.

Practice "I-CARE" language with your child. Sensitivity to needs (theirs and others) will grow. Most importantly, they will gain the courage to speak up clearly and non-violently for what is fair. Congratulate your child when you hear them using "I-CARE" language.

Children get angry easily because they lack the communication and problem- solving skills they need to deal with frustrating situations. Discuss your child’s feelings, especially when they seem distressed and angry. Read stories that deal with anger, sadness, frustration, and guilt. Your child’s teacher can give you a list of books to share with your child. Encourage your child to talk, write and draw about feelings. Reassure them that all feelings are natural and everyone has them. Help your child develop sensitivity towards the feelings of others.

Help your child develop a plan to deal with frustration situations. Here is a technique that works wonders. Have them close their eyes and imagine a large video screen inside their head. Have them picture the situation like a video. When they get to the point of frustration, stop the "old" video and change the ending. The more they practice new "I-CARE" endings, the easier it will be to give up old habits.

Everyone has conflicts. Conflicts do not have to end with hurt feelings or violence. Encourage your child to attack the problem instead of the other person. Remind your child that everyone in a conflict has a different point of view, but they all have one thing in common – a desire to solve the problem. By listening carefully and trying to understand the other person’s feelings, they can work together to solve the problem.

Create a peace table. A peace table can be any table. It’s a place where your children can talk over and solve their problems by themselves. If children need help to solve a problem, any family member may mediate. A mediator does not judge, take sides or give the children the solution. Tell the children there will be no name-calling, blaming, or hitting. The object of mediation is to solve problems so that they don’t occur again, and not punishment.

• Have each child tell their side of the story, without interrupting.
• Repeat back what you heard to be sure you understood what they said.
• Ask how they feel about the situation.
• Ask them to think of all the ways that the problem can be solved.
• Have them pick the solutions that will work for both of them.

Be sure that each child takes responsibility to carry out their part of the agreement and congratulate them when they solve their conflicts nonviolently.

Hold family meetings. Schedule family meetings once a week or twice a month. This will give all members an opportunity to discuss things that bother them and acknowledge appreciation for the special things that others do for them.

Enjoy your child. Let daily routines – cooking, shopping, cleaning, driving – be a time of fun, trust, sharing, and growing responsibility. Work together as a family. Set up experiences which encourage your child to cooperate. Let family members know you love them and care about them. This is the gift of love.