Disciplining is one of the most important facets of parenting. When we reflect on our own experiences with discipline as a child, we should think about how those methods made us feel and whether they are in line with our parenting philosophy. Providing discipline is essential to help groom children into becoming responsible adults. As the adult, you must remain calm and confident, especially when you are frustrated with unacceptable behavior. We must work to maintain both the self-esteem of our children and a healthy relationship with them.
As parents there are countless questions around disciplining that must be resolved within the household. The more proactive that you can be prior to the event, the better the outcome. Will you give an allowance? Will you have “time-outs?” What time will be curfew, and what is the punishment when they inevitably fail to come home on time? All of us grapple with these decisions about discipline and want to do what is best.
There is a lot that fosters positive discipline in the home. Here are some basic ideas to help guide you in setting the stage for positive behavior. There are external and internal forces for parents to consider when thinking about discipline.
External Factors: things you have control over…food (providing healthy snacks), sleep (nighttime sleep is sufficient), routine (having the day mapped out is helpful and knowing what to expect), and environment (keep living space calm, comfortable and organized to foster positive behavior).
Internal Factors: things out of your control…all children have unique personalities and their own temperament that affects interaction with people and events in their world. As a parent you can show support by respecting their thoughts, being honest and listening.
Raising children requires patience. Discipline teaches how to make positive choices. The ultimate goal of discipline is to keep children safe.
TURNING STONEchoice 