Growing up as a kid, I saw different ways parents correct their kids and the kind of impact it has on the kid growing up. For one, I was flogged for most of the mistakes I committed as a child, and when I did something practically wrong, I got a beating from my parents, tongue lashes, and punishment that would remain in my brain for weeks.
Navigating discipline can be challenging yet crucial for parents. The way parents' guide and correct their kids' behavior can have a lasting impact on their development and understanding of right and wrong. I remember getting beaten a lot. I decided my mom hated me because it was like everything, I did was wrong while it was wrong.
I am glad she corrected me, but I don't think I will use all of my parents' ways of disciplining my kids. It shaped my life and helped with some of the good and bad decisions I have made.
You see, when it comes to disciplining children, there are various approaches that parents can take. Some opt for physical punishment as a means to kick out undesirable behavior like my parents did, while others choose more constructive and positive methods to address and rectify the situation. For example, punishment that would make them reflect on some of the things they have done, and also talking some sense into them so they can understand their wrong.
In my experience as a surviving child, I believe in the power of positive reinforcement and communication when it comes to discipline. Rather than resorting to physical punishment, I talk to them and have an open and honest conversation with them, then see if they would change their ways if they don't. I will use their grandparent method.
I believe in setting clear boundaries and making sure there are rules and punishments for whoever breaks them. These rules are the foundation for instilling discipline in them. No one will want to disobey their parents, but kids will be kids and would want to try their parents to see what they would do. If any of my kids act in a punishable way, I will remind the child of the rules or create a new rule to help him/her grow into a respectable person.
I have seen kids act dishonestly, and I wonder what kind of home the child would have come out of. The truth is, all training or learning starts at home, which is why parents need to be careful the way they act in front of their child(ren) because they tend to pick up some characters from what they see.
Ultimately, as parents, the goal is to nurture and guide your children with love, respect, and understanding. Discipline is not solely about correcting behavior but also about fostering growth, learning, and character development in our children. There is no set or fixed approach to disciplining a child because a lot of things build up a child's character, so before disciplining a child, all these factors should be considered. After that, the right approach can be thought of and then implemented.
