How To Discipline Kids: Are you constantly worrying about your kid straying into the wrong path? Are you scared that your child will grow up to be a spoilt brat? Do you want your child to grow into a responsible adult with good character? If yes, then read on. Parenting can be hard at times. Kids test our patience every single day and it is not easy to remain calm when they are being uncooperative. However, by using effective parenting techniques, we can minimise the friction between us and our kids and have peace of mind instead. Disciplining kids firmly and in a loving way helps them learn what is acceptable behaviour and what isn’t. It also teaches them how to cope with stress in a healthy way instead of resorting to destructive behaviours such as lashing out at others or withdrawing from life completely.As much as we love our children, it is important that we don’t let their antics go unchecked. Here are some strategies on how to discipline kids so they grow into responsible adults:
Establish clear boundaries and stick to them.
Kids need to have boundaries so that they can learn how to respect themselves and other people. It also teaches them how to say “no” to certain things that are harmful to their well-being. Boundaries also help us to define what is acceptable behaviour in our home so that we can set a good example for our children. When our kids see us being respectful towards others and living by a certain set of values, they are more likely to follow suit. Boundaries can be anything from rules about what time to go to bed, what to eat, how to interact with others, where to play and how to behave in public. Stay consistent and make sure to enforce these rules. If you break a rule that you have set, your child will learn nothing from it. Your inconsistency will only confuse your kid and make them think that rules don’t apply to them. Kids will test boundaries and it is natural for them to do this. When your child breaks a rule, make sure to correct them. Explain to them why their behaviour is unacceptable and give them a consequence.
Don’t reward bad behaviour.
This is something many parents fail to understand. They might feel guilty for correcting their child and try to make it easier for them by rewarding bad behaviour. We often see this happen with children who have a short temper or tantrums. Instead of disciplining the child, the parent tries to calm them down. Kids will learn that if they throw a tantrum, they will get what they want. If a kid keeps misbehaving and you keep rewarding them, they will continue to do so. Sometimes it is easier to give in to your child’s demands rather than risk causing a tantrum. However, you are only creating a bad habit. If your child knows that they can get their way by throwing a tantrum, they will continue to do so. Remember, discipline is all about showing your child what is right and what is wrong. It is about guiding them so they can make informed decisions in the future. When your child misbehaves, don’t reward them by giving them what they want. Instead, explain to them why their behaviour is inappropriate and have a consequence ready for them as well.
Behaviour management strategies
– Praise your child when they behave well. It is easy to notice the bad behaviour but we forget to notice the good behaviour in our kids as well. Praising your child when they do something good will show them that they are doing the right thing. – Model the behaviour you want your child to adopt. Kids are more likely to follow suit when they see their parent behaving in a certain way. If you want your child to be grateful for what they have, you must be grateful yourself. – Avoid power struggles. If your child refuses to do something that you have asked them to do, don’t get into an argument with them. Instead, try to reason with them and have a discussion with them instead of demanding that they do what you want them to do.
Time Out
This is a good discipline technique for kids who are not able to calm themselves down when they are upset. Time out is a form of isolation where the child is separated from everyone else for a short period of time so they can calm down. It works well with kids who are hyperactive, easily frustrated and have trouble controlling their emotions. When your child misbehaves, you can put them in time out. However, make sure to explain to them why they are being punished. Time out should last for a short period of time – typically between one and three minutes. Make sure that the room your child is in is safe and don’t leave them in there alone. Ideally, they should be with an adult who can make sure they don’t get into any mischief while they are in isolation.
Use Rewards Wisely
Rewards can be a powerful tool to encourage your child to do well and behave well. However, you must use them wisely. You can reward your child for good behaviour by giving them praise, treats or letting them do something special. By doing this, you are encouraging your child to do well and behave well so that they can earn their reward. Rewards should be given immediately after your child does something good. If you reward your child for something that they have done in the past, they will lose interest in the reward and you will have wasted your time and money. Try to make the reward relevant to the behaviour you want your child to adopt. For example, if your child has been doing well at school, you can let them pick a book from the bookstore as a reward.
Conclusion
Parenting is a challenging job but it is also extremely rewarding. Kids are constantly growing and changing, so there will always be new things to learn. It is important that we are consistent in disciplining our child so that they know what is expected of them. It is also important that we are prepared for disciplinary situations so that we don’t react on impulse. By using effective parenting techniques, we can make parenting much easier.