By Amy Marie Chan

Disciplining your children is never an easy task. For one, your kids have different personalities, thus, there will be times when you have to change your approach when handling one of them. Sometimes, this can be misconstrued as favoring one child over the other, when in reality, what you are only trying to do is to discipline effectively and according to each one's personality.

However, what you also need to remember is that the way you act in front of them, the way you handle situations, your values, thinking, and behaviors become your children's gauge on how they should conduct themselves in front of you or other people. They'll mimic your moves and probably even the language that you use. Thus, ensure they see you as a role model so they grow up fair-minded and well-adjusted individuals.

Now, some parents find it difficult to correctly discipline their kids as most often than not, the word is commonly connected with punishment and reprimand. Truth is, this is not what discipline is all about.

To effectively discipline your children:

Remember that children have individual personalities, too. The way you should talk with your children may differ according to his or her personality. Your children may be younger than you are, but they are humans as well who have their own traits and quirks. Thus, never talk down to them. Regardless of their age, listen to their opinions, to what they are saying, and you might be surprised how "profound" they can be considering their age and experience.

Understand where they are coming from. Apply discipline according to their age and experience in life. You should note that younger children, inexperienced in life as they are, could not handle the same discipline measures you will apply to your older children. Being young, they still cannot distinguish right from wrong behavior, thus, they will need your guidance to understand. Putting this in mind will make it easier for you to understand them.

Put yourself in their shoes. Learn to empathize. If you are yelled at, is it something that makes you feel at peace? What is its effect on you? Does it make you feel embarrassed, angry, or scared? So, try not to yell at them because that doesn't add to their positive childhood experiences - yelling simply teaches them that it is alright to express thoughts in anger and not to consider other people's feelings when dealing with them.

Treat your children as your equal. When talking to them, think of them as "thinking individuals" and not as "my son who has to be punished for something that he". Doing so helps you put things in their proper perspective. Talk to them in a peaceful manner and you'll see, the more they will respond positively to your actions.

Catch your children while they are doing good deeds - and not only when they did something wrong. Reinforce good conduct by showering them with praises or giving them rewards when they do something good for another individual. This will push them more to please you - knowing that their actions made you happy and they get praises or rewards for doing something good. Positive reinforcement will surely go a long way if you want to effectively discipline your children.

Lastly, strive to be role models for your children. What you want to see them do in life or how they conduct themselves when in front of other people, ensure that they see those traits in you.

Disciplining your children is a daunting but necessary task that you have to do as parents. It requires time, energy, love, and understanding if you want your children to become well-behaved, well-adjusted individuals.

Amy Marie Chan also shares information about baby-related topics. She recently published her blogposts on See Kai Run shoes and soft soled baby shoes here.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Marie_Chan

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