How to Parent With Discipline

If you were to ask parents what the most difficult challenge is when it comes to raising children, most of them would say it is disciplining. Proper discipline of a child should encompass what the law says is acceptable as well as what is appropriate. A lot of work and commitment goes into raising a child and discipline is at the forefront.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Make a commitment that you will put the time and effort into parenting prior to having a child.

2. Dedicate the necessary time to raising your children. Nothing is better for raising a child than a mom who stays home to do just that. Sometimes a mother wants a career. That’s great, but it comes at a very very high cost if you are raising kids. Sometimes you have to work, but when you make the decision that you want to have nicer things at the expense of not putting the time in with your child, you are being less of a parent than you could and should be.

3. Discipline your child early and often so that they will respect you, other adult authorities, and rules of society. They need to know boundaries and these boundaries need to be reinforced early and often.

4. Balance your discipline. As your child gets older, a spanking on the backside is not the answer. Denying privileges should come more to the forefront. If you have an adolescent at home who is too old to be spanked, but won't obey your instructions, you must get help. Seek out counselors and medical professionals for instruction.

5. Be prepared to tell your child why you are disciplining them. It should not be one of the “because I said so” remarks. This can cause them to harbor feelings of animosity and rebellion. Same something more like, "These are the rules of this house".

6. Share articles and news reports with your child that show how inappropriate behavior has bad consequences. When you child is on punishment, such as being confined to their room for a short while, give them these articles to read. Do not discipline your child to their room and give them free access to the computer. You should effectively manage their punishment time.

7. Talk to your child daily about how school was. Talk to the school on a regular basis to see how your child is doing. Administer strict punishment for unexcused absences from school. Let them know this is unacceptable and that school is extremely important.

Tips & Warnings

• Alway be in the know when it comes to your child and their activities.
• Do not let someone else raise your child. Put the time in to know your child. Put raising your child ahead of your career.

[LAURA7088]

on 7/23/2008 Thanks - wish more parents shared your view.