That's a keen observation, Kicker. It's really hard to pull off too, so kudos.

I'm from family of 6. Most of us were average, got into some kind of normal trouble. Mom had to punish with sending to room, or spanking (it was the 60's).

but one brother just was really well behaved and never really needed to be told NO. Eagle boy scout, the whole 9 yards.

Many yrs later in his 30's, he confesses, he never felt quite as loved as he thinks the rest of us were. To this day, he feels that way (he's about 50...).

Why? Mom was kinda busy correcting the rest of us, not telling him he was doing well.

I know she did say good job at times. But that's a good point for people who still have kids - instead of saying "You, you and you, stop acting up at the table, or ELSE!" Maybe say You are being so good at dinner! Thank you. Maybe the others could eat quietly like you do."

Give the attention to the good behavior.

It's hard not to point out the rotten ones though.



But that's how you train parrots - ignore when they're bad, treat when they're good - so if it works for birds, why not people?