Alpha Command

     As a parent when you feel that your emotions are in check, you want to redirect your child’s behaviour. One of the methods is giving an Alpha Command. For example, consider a situation when Kiran, your 8 year old  son, is winding up to throw a cricket ball from across the room into your living room, aiming at a stand.  You know that if he misses the stand, the ball will certainly hit some show-piece in the  room which may get broken.  Normally you shout “Kiran, stop”.  But in Alpha Command, you may simply say “Kiran, Get my gloves from the box in the garage. We may play in the lawn.” 

     This is a request for a response that is compatible with the unacceptable behaviour of the child.  In Alpha Commands we request and expect an action that the child is likely to accept and do.

     According to Forehand and McMahon, an Alpha Command is a clear concise directive for a specific appropriate behaviour.  Psychologists say that it takes practice to become good at giving Alpha Commands. But in  Parenting a Defiant Child,  Phillip Hall and Nancy Hall say that a defiant children will generally not comply with harshly given, demanding Alpha Commands.