| There are few more emotive issues in today's society | | | | child's eyes, particularly from a mentoring perspective |
| than parenting discipline. Ask a hundred parents what | | | | as opposed to yelling and demanding. Ask yourself |
| child discipline is and you'll probably get a hundred | | | | this... what would you respond and respect more, being |
| different responses. The parenting discipline landscape | | | | yelled at or spoken to in a calm tone? |
| has changed considerably during the last fifty years, | | | | - Give your children the opportunity to have their say |
| with more emphasis placed on mental discipline than | | | | but be careful not to give them adult privileges. That is, |
| physical. | | | | maintain your authority in a positive and firm way. The |
| In this article, we will examine what is considered | | | | child will respect you for allowing him/her to be heard |
| implementing new age parenting disciplines which are | | | | but should know that you set the rules and they are |
| becoming more widely accepted, particularly in the | | | | expected to abide by them. Break the rules and they |
| western world. | | | | will be disciplined. |
| The Days Of Corporal Punishment | | | | - Be careful not to attack a child's self esteem. A child |
| There was a time when copping a whack on the | | | | who is continually told they are useless are going to |
| bottom was part and parcel of growing up as a child. It | | | | grow up thinking what... they are useless. Praise should |
| was called corporal punishment and was not only | | | | be given when appropriate however, too much praise |
| invoked at home but was also dealt out at school. | | | | can also be a dangerous thing. Why? Because a child |
| Remember the cane? I do and so would many others | | | | will expect it and if it's not forthcoming, even for the |
| of the baby boomer era. Was it wrong? This is where | | | | most trivial thing, it can affect their self esteem. You |
| you have to be careful because new age parenting | | | | need to find the right balance. |
| disciples have become so dead set opposed to any | | | | - As parents, presenting a united front is vital. Parents |
| form of corporal punishment that any mention of it | | | | who disagree continually on appropriate punishment in |
| now has connotations of child abuse. I didn't like it but | | | | front of a child are headed for trouble. Trouble in the |
| did it affect my becoming a model citizen? The | | | | fact that children are very perceptive and learn quickly. |
| answer is a firm no! | | | | If one parent shows too much compassion all the time |
| Examining Some Good Discipline Practice | | | | guess what? The child will pick up on this and establish |
| So what are considered good parenting practices | | | | his/her own higher ground in the battle of getting at |
| today? Well, pyschology seems to be in vogue. Here | | | | least one parent on side for their own agendas. |
| are some examples: | | | | Comparing parenting disciplines from bygone eras is |
| - Don't yell at your child. Why? Because it's been | | | | quite interesting. On the surface things are certainly |
| determined that children respond more when | | | | done differently but a closer examination begs the |
| approached in a calmer fashion. This doesn't mean | | | | question... have the core base rules of parenting |
| you need to bribe a child. Pointing out errors in a calm | | | | discipline really changed? |
| and controlled fashion will earn you more respect in the | | | | |