When her 5-year-old son refused to eat his pudding cup, Alazaey Washington’s first instinct was to insist: “If I put this on the table, you’re going to eat it.” 

While that approach worked when he was very little, as he got older, Alazaey’s son started pushing boundaries, getting in trouble at school, and talking back at home.

At first, Alazaey didn’t think she needed help. She’d been raised to believe that parents had the final word. But when the constant arguments began wearing her down, she agreed to enroll in Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) through Newberry County First Steps. 

Triple P is a parenting and family support program designed to prevent and treat behavioral and emotional problems in children. Parents are introduced to simple, practical strategies to help build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage their children’s behavior, and promote positive child development.  

The program includes eight in-person sessions, followed by three phone calls, and a final review session. Each meeting focuses on specific topics such as positive discipline, handling misbehavior, or helping children express themselves.  

In their first few sessions, Angela Baxter, a parent educator with Newberry County First Steps, noticed Alazaey’s frustration. "I remember when she told her son, 'If I put it on the table, you’re going to eat it,'" Angela said. "So, I asked Alazaey, 'What do you do to get him to eat it besides just forcing him?' And she said, 'I don’t understand. Why should I do anything? I’m the parent. I’m the adult.'" 

That conversation opened the door for a simple but powerful lesson when Angela gently turned the question back on Alazey:

"I said, 'Because you wouldn’t like anyone forcing you to do something. How would it feel if I told you to eat this pudding cup right now? Would you like it? No. So, what if you asked calmly and politely?'" 

That moment clicked for Alazaey. It was the first time she saw that discipline didn’t have to mean dominance. It could be about understanding, respect, and connection. "I started trying things like that," Alazaey said, "and it’s been working." 

The change didn’t happen overnight, but little by little, the energy in their home began to shift. Her son started responding more respectfully, saying "Yes, ma’am," "Thank you," and "Please," where before there had been defiance.  

Through Triple P, Alazaey learned to use praise and positive reinforcement instead of punishment. She started a sticker chart to encourage good behavior, a simple system that quickly became a favorite in their house. 

"He likes the rewards, and he likes the stickers," she said with a smile. "It’s on the refrigerator. You get bad, happy, and sad faces, but he hasn’t had a bad face since we started doing the chart."

Beyond behavior changes, the program also helped Alazaey reconnect with her children. She now sets aside time for family activities such as drawing chalk art on the sidewalk, visiting the library, or just spending time together outside. 

"If you don’t spend much time with them, then they’ll feel neglected," she said. "So we go to the park, or go get ice cream, or just play tag. We’ll sit at home and watch movies or read together."

She’s learned that parenting isn’t about control, it’s about communication. 

"Triple P has taught me that you don’t always have to fuss," Alazaey said. "Rather than fussing and putting them in time out when they don’t know why they’re there, it’s about letting them know that you understand, and they understand you."

Now, when other parents ask if the program is worth it, she doesn’t hesitate. 

"If you’re struggling with parenting and your children, it’s a good program," she said. "They’ll help you learn how to discipline, how to make your child understand you, and they give you resources. You can always call and talk to your parent educator if you need to. Communication is really the key."

For Alazaey, the pudding cup wasn’t just a parenting lesson, it was a turning point. Through Triple P, she discovered that patience, empathy, and conversation could accomplish what shouting never could: a happier home and a stronger bond with her children.

Learn more about Triple P and other parenting programs offered by SC First Steps. 

Topics: Local Partnerships, Parenting, Home Visiting