November 25, 2017 6 Comments

A Positive Approach to Discipline

Most parents will agree that their number one parenting concern is how to discipline young children. Parents receive mountains of advice from extended family members, parenting books and videos and it is sometimes hard to sort out how to respond to misbehavior. On top of the external advice parents may receive, two parent families bring their own childhood history on how to parent.  What is appropriate discipline?  How much is too much or too little?  It is important for parents to think, read, and talk about how they are going to discipline their children. Parents must be on the same page in order for discipline to be effective.
As you can see, I’m using the term discipline rather than punishment. “Discipline” and “Punishment” are not synonymous. Discipline is about teaching and learning. Punishment is about controlling children through fear. Each brings about different results.

Try to follow the “Do” list below and you’ll retain the loving bond you have with your child and will build relationships that will last far into their teen years.

Do…

• – Set limits
• – Be consistent
• – Be firm
• – Be realistic
• – Listen carefully
• – State expectations clearly
• – Give encouragement and acknowledge efforts
• – Stop dangerous, destructive behavior
• – Redirect misbehaviors
• – Ignore minor misbehaviors

Avoid…

• – Accusing
• – Controlling
• – Blaming
• – Criticizing
• – Humiliating
• – Ridiculing
• – Using sarcasm or cruel humor
• – Nagging and fussing
• – Being over permissive