Discipline: Essential Parent Info

Posted on | May 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Can harsh discipline do more harm than good?

Recent studies suggest that low-income parents tend to endorse much harsher discipline, partly because they hold stronger beliefs about the value of spanking and experience higher levels of stress.

But, parents who work in high-stress jobs or are stay-at-home parents who are feeling frustrated or isolated are also at risk. It’s vital that parents recognize their tendency to punish a child too severely and take the necessary steps tomake sure the punishment is appropriate for their child’s age, temperament and maturity level.

The study’s finding showed that parents from lower income levels or work high pressure jobs are more stressed, and they react more emotionally to their child’s behavior, and thus use harsher discipline. A parent in this situation may benefit from external help and learning about alternative disciplinary strategies that are more appropriate and less harsh.

It’s also imperative for a parent to realize that kids thrive on praise. Parents in such a situation may always jump to discipline but fail to praise their child for their good deeds, behaviors and traits. Kids instinctively want to please their parents and make them proud. By encouraging positive behavior, the parent will most likely discourage the behavior that has driven them in the past to punish too harshly.

In order to encourage positive behavior deserving of praise, parents might want to think about giving their child a task they know they’re able to accomplish, and praise their efforts along the way.

Parents should consistently praise their children for the positive traits they possess. Their child might be good at maths in school, helpful to their little sister or brother, or is good at drawing pictures. Praise these good traits and the child is likely to respond by acting appropriately and behaving positively in order to gain more praise.

In the end, it’s vital to remember that a child is just that – a child. A parent should make a concerted effort to make sure the discipline is appropriate and take care of themselves physically, mentally and emotionally so they can optimally provide for their child’s emotional and physical well-being.

Sharing a hobby or interest with your child is a great way to develop a closer bond. Face painting just might be the right one for you. Discover more
Kids face painting
Face painting ideas