KidsHealth.org
Self-control is the ability to make choices about how one behaves and acts rather than relying on impulses. Instead of acting on instinct or immediate impulse, children - and parents - with self-control pause and evaluate a situation and the consequences that may result from their behavior.
For example, if you tell your child that she may not have ice cream until the afternoon, her first reaction might be to cry, plead, or even throw a temper tantrum in the hopes that you will give in to her request. In contrast, a child who has a better sense of self-control might be more likely to understand the consequences of such a tantrum - perhaps not getting any ice cream - and therefore wait until the afternoon.
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