Disciplining Your Children

Natural Consequences and Loss of Privileges- This is great for ages 9 and up into the teen years. Natural consequences can be applied say in the case of your child not completing their school work like you asked them to before bed. Instead of waking your child back up to finish let them take it to school. When they get that bad grade they will see that it is important to do their work or else.  For older children especially teenagers, loss of privileges may help. Taking away a dance or loss of car privileges may quickly help get your teen back on the correct path especially when it starts interfering with their social life.

Spanking- Spanking tends to be a very touchy controversial subject among people. People’s viewpoints differ greatly on this. Experts have given several reasons why they feel spanking is ineffective. They are:

1. Spanking tends to teach children it is ok to hit when angry. If it does become necessary for you to give your child a light tap on the bottom for acting out of place make sure you do not do it out of anger. Allow yourself plenty of time to cool down and always tell your child why he/she is receiving a spanking.

2. Spanking can physically hurt a child- again make sure you never strike a child out of anger.

3. Spanking tends to make children afraid of their parents and come up with more ways on how to avoid being caught. 

4. Some kids are trying to get your attention and spanking them will reward them by giving them attention that they seek.

Again, it is each parent’s decision on how they choose to discipline your child. Remember though, even though it is hard sometimes, to discipline out of love not anger and to clearly inform your child why they are being disciplined and what they can do to avoid being disciplined again.