Spare The Rod To Mold Your Child (Part I)

Kids

oi-Staff

By Super

Monday, April 16, 2012, 16:19

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourages spanking of children in order to discipline them. It is illegal for parents to spank their child in Germany, Sweden, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Croatia, Latvia, Cyprus and Austria. If that was the rule adopted all over the world then, how do you stop your child, a year old, from experimenting with electronic gadgets? What should you do when your 5 year old misbehaves at the party? How can you be a friend to your teenager and get them to share their deepest secrets and fears.

Here are some ideas on how to approach children with love and teach them discipline.

Toddlers:

For the toddlers up to the age of 3 the world is an expedition and they want to touch, break and see everything that they can reach up to. So, try keeping all the electronic gadgets or expensive things that can break, out of the reach of children. If they still fiddle tell them in your mama language that the things fiddled with might hurt them or calmly say 'No'. If this doesn't work try to distract them with other objects, or gently carry them outside. Remember that babies will not understand why you hit them. They will just feel the physical pain and this will not serve the purpose.

At the same time remember to reward your child when he does something good, for instance, if your child shares his toy or says thank you. The reward can be a chocolate, ride on the bike,an extra bedtime story or a sweet kiss. Remember to tell the child why you are rewarding him; appreciate him by saying very good or very sweet this will boosts your child to continue good behavior.

Age 3-6:

When you teach your kid to use a pencil or colours on the book for the first time, they would like to try it on your important files or on the walls of your room. This is common. If you smack them or get angry, they may not do it at that particular time due to fear, but may try doing it when you are not around. The best way of punishing them is to let them clean the walls themselves when they colour it. Keep them awake when you are completing the file. When they look at the amount of rework done they might change their attitude. Try making them understand the consequences of their misbehavior. If none work, then punish them by not giving them anything to write for few days. Do not give in to your child if he starts whining or this will make him believe that this is the right way to get what he wants.

Some kids love playing in mud and water. They soil their clothes and even get prone to several diseases. Don't just tell them not to do it but instead tell them what happens if they do it. Do not make them feel that elders are supposed to set the rules and younger are supposed to follow. This will make them revolt against you when they grow old. In a way they will try telling you that "now listen I am old enough to make my own set of rules"