Positive Discipline Shapes Good Behavior

There comes a time when many parents struggle with the best methods to discipline their child; I am not excluded. To be honest, finding the best method of disciplining the kids can be challenging, but because we want the best from our kids, we keep exploring different methods depending on the child until we find suitable tactics that would give a desirable result.

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One thing we should know is that there are stages in the life of a child that no matter how you correct or discipline the child, you will still find him or her repeating the same mistake. That's because they are children who are still in their developing stage and who find it difficult to distinguish between right and wrong at that tender age.

This is why one of our duties as parents is to guide the children rightly and not necessarily to overlook their mistakes or be too harsh on them, but sometimes, it's the other way round. We may be impatient to descend on them, shouting and even hitting the child as a way to discipline the child for such a mistake, forgetting that there is also a learning stage where we need to unleash our positive energy into disciplining the children, rightly.

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Personally, I have been exploring different ways in the past regarding discipline, which didn't give me the needed results, until I began to try out different tactics, and so far, these few tactics I will discuss below seem to be working for me, but with patience and consistency.

Firstly, when my child does something wrong, I will first establish comprehensible communication, telling him that what he has done is totally unacceptable. I will ensure to explain politely the consequences of each action and why he shouldn't repeat such again. Perhaps, if my child repeats the same mistakes, then I will leave the communication level because previously, I have explained myself on why he should deviate from such. Discipline follows, and I love depriving my kids of things I know they love doing.

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For instance, my kids have their bicycle, and not all the time do I usually allow them to ride it, especially when they have important things to do. Once you disobey, I will get the bicycle locked in my store and ensure you don't ride it the next two days. Sometimes, action speaks louder than voice indeed, and that's discipline in this regard. I may not always love to keep talking and repeating myself, but actions like this help reset my kid's brains. So next time, they remember to stick to rules.

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That reminds me, there's a need for kids to have set down rules at home; it helps them not to cross the boundaries. When you don't have any clear rules of how things should be done, they tend to lose it and behave without control. In my home, even my last child of almost 4 years can recite the set rules, and once they're broken, just know that no disobedience goes unpunished. I think the rules in my home guide them when it comes to obeying the set boundaries, and most importantly, I remain consistent with my manner of discipline.

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Consistency is important while dealing with children; otherwise, they won't take things seriously. Imagine when I consistently take away our TV remotes for two days when they go overboard with their screen time; next time, they will be more conscious to stick with the instructions; otherwise, they face the consequences of their actions. I have to say something and mean it; otherwise, their mind wouldn't be conditioned to follow my set standards for them.

Having said that, another way I practically apply discipline to them is by being their role model. Imagine breaking the same rules I set or doing certain things wrongly, which I already told them is unacceptable; of course they will think I am playing. It then becomes important that I remain intentional with my actions, especially in their presence. Children easily learn things from their parents. If I am consistently using negative words, definitely, they will take it from me unconsciously; the same thing if I stuck with positive words and actions.

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One thing I always try to maintain is encouraging them when they do things rightly. Sometimes, I get stickers and stick them on the forehead of anyone who didn't deviate from Mum's instructions. As little as a sticker, it encourages them and makes them willing to repeat such positive actions. Same way they have it in mind that no offense goes unpunished in my home, the same way they have experienced love and encouragement when they do things rightly; with this, their actions are guarded, and it becomes easier for me to apply discipline and get results.

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Overall, being calm enough to let them know they're wrong and the consequences attached to it, staying consistent with my disciplinary measures, and comforting and encouraging positive behaviors have been the little ways I ensure that they don't attempt to default again.

Images are mine