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Discipline Ideas That Really Work
How to Teach Your Kids Without a Power Struggle
By Armin Brott
18. No Shaking
It may seem like a less violent way of expressing your frustrations than spanking, but it really isn't. Shaking your baby can make his little brain rattle around inside his skull, resulting in brain damage.
19. No Bribes
It's tempting to pay a child off to get him to do or not do something. But the risk – and it's a big one – is that he will demand some kind of payment before complying with just about anything.
20. Be a Grown-up
Biting your child or pulling his hair to demonstrate that biting or hitting is wrong or doesn't feel good will backfire – guaranteed.
21. Offer Cheese With That Whine
Tell your child that you simply don't respond to whining and that you won't give him what he wants until he asks in a nice way – and stick with it.
22. Set a Good Example
If your child sees you and your partner arguing without violence, he'll learn to do the same. If he sees you flouting authority by running red lights, he'll do the same.
Above all, make sure you understand your child. Trying to discipline him without understanding why he's doing what he's doing is a little like taking cough syrup for emphysema – the thing that's bugging you goes away for a while, but the underlying problem remains and keeps getting worse with time. The most direct way to solve this is to simply ask your child what's going on and why he's acting the way he is. In many cases, he'll tell you. If he won't tell you or doesn't have the vocabulary to do so, make an educated guess such as, "Are you writing on the walls because you want me to spend more time with you?"
Want to see more?
- Corners and Swats or Praise and Pardons? Discipline for Young Children
- Get Your Toddler to Cooperate!
- Taking Control of Their Actions: 5 Ways to Encourage Self-discipline
- Catch Them Being Good: Reviewing the Reward System
- Stop That Whining!
- How to Promote Responsibility: Holiday Discipline Without Stress, Punishments or Rewards
- Talk about it!