Discipline No-Nos

Here is an article from http://www.sprogs.co.za/ about disciplining kids. An area in parenthood that is, should I say, the most challenging not only to new parents but basically to every parent. A challenge which when not confronted in the early years of the child will bring about big problems in the future. So start discipline early. It will bring lasting and productive results. As Proverbs 22:6 reads, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." KJV.

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Don’t repeat yourself, if your child can learn to obey at the count of 10, he can just as well obey at the count of one. A repetitive question or demand turns to white noise and doesn’t have any impact.

Don’t threaten your children as they are quick to recognise an empty threat. Stick to the one warning and if that doesn’t sort them out, choose a discipline method that suits the crime.

Don’t bribe your child in order to get him to behave the way you want him to, as this is not teaching him anything in the long run.

Don’t ask him whether he would like to come and have a bath, tell him to come and have a bath.

Don’t give long explanations, a child will lose you after the second sentence and start focusing on something else. Keep it short and sweet.

Don’t do the evil-eye-thing: “Listen to mommy, Johnny. Come now, I’m not asking you again. I’m counting to 3. Look at auntie Val’s big eye.” That means absolutely nothing. Request, followed by one warning, then the consequence of not listening.

Do not punish your child when you’re angry. Rather send him to his room while you take a few moments to calm down.

Don’t delay the punishment. It needs to happen right there and then. Even if it means parking your shopping trolley somewhere and taking your princess to the restroom to have a serious one-on-one with her. You can always continue your shopping once she understands that you actually mean business. Delayed discipline is exceptable when you are in a place where it’s impossible to reinforce discipline right then. Keep in mind that your child should be old enough to remember the reason for you disciplining her by the time you get home.

If your child bites or smacks you (or anybody else), don’t revert back to the an-eye-for-an-eye method. It doesn’t teach them anything positive. It actually only teaches them that violence is acceptable.