Kids & Disciplinary Methods

We give our best to our children’s upbringing yet find ourselves feeling guilty if and when they falter. Let’s not be hard on ourselves and consider the following techniques that lead to good behaviour and discipline in children.

Ask for the behaviour you wish to see in your child rather than telling him “Don’t do this” and “Stop doing that”. Whenever they are wrong, correct them gently by letting them know what is to be done; and praise them when they do it correctly.

Explain the need to behave since they are not born with manners. If they shout out or speak loudly at a gathering or in the hospital, explain why they shouldn’t and point out to others who are silent. It may take a while for them but eventually they will behave as expected.

You must be aware of your own cursing as you drive through a traffic jam. Your child too must have been hearing the commentary. Don’t be surprised to hear the same from him one day! After all, you are his role model. There is a way to handle this kind of a situation. Once you realise what you just said, simply apologise! That way, your child will know what you just did was wrong and is not to be done, thus refraining him from copying the same.

Children are bound to explore new things and in the process goof up many a times. They may land up dumping ketchup in their cereal or smear lipstick over their face. It’s alright! Don’t jump in to help them out. Let them taste that cereal and see themselves in the mirror. They won’t repeat their mistakes!

Some kids tend to crave for their parent’s attention more than necessary and land up doing a series of things which unnerve the parent. In that case, ignorance is bliss. Try ignoring him a few times and you shall soon find him engrossed in another activity.

Set limits and follow through. Never let your child think that you may let go. If you lay down a rule make sure they follow it. If not, let them face the consequences. If you give in once, you will always. One hour of Television on weekends means ONLY one hour!

Most of the times that we reprimand our kids, in an angry tone we ask them to “Get out” or “Go to your room.” What we must actually try is to ask them to “Sit down”. Sit them down and explain why their behaviour was wrong. Let them know what made you get upset. Rather than them suffering and crying by themselves and you fretting over what just happened, it’s always better to let them know what went wrong.

No two siblings are really the same and neither will the same methods work for both of them. Your scolding may have worked for your daughter but your son may need some holding and hugging before you may explain where he went wrong or even vice versa.

Same goes for punishment too. Some kids may find it hard – mentally and physically whereas the same punishment may be fit for other children. While setting consequences, take into account the particular child who has to face them.

Never ever threaten your child with consequences they shall never go through. For example, “We shall take you to a boarding school.” Or “You will not go to school from tomorrow.” Children tend to believe you when you blurt out such things and later realise that it was only a hoax. This prompts them to think all consequences you set are hoax and they continue their bad behaviour.

Dear readers let us know what disciplinary actions work well with your child and which ones don’t in the comment section below!