The "criticism" trap is when you often battle with your child. You start to criticize them and soon you are threatening and yelling. Arguments like this leave both parent and child feeling angry. If you have these battles a lot, it's time to try a new way of handling the situation.
The "leave them alone" trap is when parents don't praise their child when they are behaving well. Kids might start misbehaving for attention. Try to praise behaviors you would like to see more often.