Communicating with young boys and girls is sometimes not easy, however good communication with difficult children is essential to running an effective Cub meeting.  Sometimes a large portion of a meeting is spent correcting these children. The goal is to come out with a win-win situation, with both leaders and all the Cubs enjoying the experience of Scouting. The following are good tips in managing effective challenging Cubs:

The Problem Cub:
- Take a deep breath, and then another.  Remember you are the adult
- Close your eyes and imagine you're hearing what your Cub is about to hear
- Count to ten, and then count to 10 again
- Put the Cub in a time out chair - one minute for each year of age 
- Put yourself in a time out chair, and think about why you are angry
- Smile until your emotion matches your expression
- Avoid scolding a Cub in front of others.  Some children often enjoy the attention. Take the Cub into the meeting hall corner and talk to him one on one
- Ask the problem Cub what he wants to get out of Scouting and maybe try to arrange activities to meet his desires
- With another Leader taking over the meeting, go for a small walk
- Talk about common strategies with other Leaders
- Look for strengths in the problem Cub and try to get him to show the others what he is good at
- Talk to the parent.  See if the Mother or Father have ideas or experience to improve positive participation

Overall Items:
- Be friendly, honest and face-to-face with the Cub
- Teach decision making - ask the Pack how they would like to run the meeting and what is important to them
- Offer choices in what the Cubs would like to do or play
- Whenever possible join the Cubs in activities, but in doing so try to give the Cubs who do not regularly participate, a more active role
- Reward positive contributions and actions with Gizzles, crests, special tasks.  Grade not the best Cub, but on the percentage improvement a Cub has made over time 
- Challenge the Cubs to get badges and/or present their work.  Get a senior Scout, Parent or Leader to help out
- Explain consequences such as how ignoring rules and how they act, affect the Cub and the Pack
- Teach openness - explain the difference between good secrets such a surprise party and bad secrets that make one feel bad
- Be an adult - Cubs expect their parents decisions to be fair, consistent and just.  Admit your mistakes
- Walk the talk - be careful not to expect more from the Cubs than you would of yourself or your children
- Share your plans - discuss with the Pack future choices
- Set the ground rules for behavior straight at the beginning meetings
- Smile - your facial expressions speak louder than words.  Smiling also puts things in perspective
- Be curious - take interest in their views, joys and opinions
- Keep to a meeting schedule - idle time allows Cubs to wander and create problems
- Do not put down the Cub in front of others.  Gather respect by firm positive reinforcement
- Teach in the proper ways to do things right - avoid talking about doing things wrong.  Recognize small efforts to improve