Dr Karly, does my child just need firmer boundaries?

Sometimes.

But boundaries are only one tool in the parenting toolbox.

If a child keeps crashing into the barrier, we can keep making the barrier bigger.

Or we can look at the road.

Is the task too hard?Are they overwhelmed?Do they need help getting started?Can we change the environment before things fall apart?

Sometimes the best way to change behaviour isn’t to build a bigger barrier.

It’s to redesign the road.