PARENTAL GUIDANCE

Rosenbloom shares some tactics for dealing with common parenting predicaments

When your kid throws a tantrum in the grocery store . . .

Distract her. “Bend down to your child’s level and calmly say, ‘We can’t have those cookies now, but we can take a photograph of them and buy them next time.’ ” Another strategy is to just not acknowledge the outburst. “It’s hard when you are parenting in public, but planned ignoring is a good way to go,” says Rosenbloom. The child will eventually run out of steam.

When your child won’t give up his iPad . . .

Give fair warning, says Rosenbloom. “Tell him: ‘I’m just letting you know that you’ve got five minutes left to be on your iPad.’ ” Or, incentivize: Suggest you do something interesting after he stops playing with the gadget, such as playing a card game or doing a puzzle.

When your kid won’t go to sleep alone . . .

Create routine, Rosenbloom says. Make a visual schedule for younger kids by creating a chart of consecutive pictures of them changing into their PJs, brushing their teeth, reading and then snuggling with you for five minutes. “It’s a good reference point for keeping the routine,” she says.

Another tactic is to trigger their imagination. “Teach older kids getting-to-sleep strategies such as thinking of an upcoming vacation or a book they’re reading.” They will fall asleep quicker if they focus on pleasant thoughts.