How many of you have ever walked out of the grocery store when your cart was still full of groceries because your child was having a temper tantrum? Or, how many of you have spanked or yelled at your child and then all of a sudden freaked out because you’re convinced you’ve wrecked your child for life? If you have, you’re in good company.
How many of you have ever walked out of the grocery store when your cart was still full of groceries because your child was having a temper tantrum? Or, how many of you have spanked or yelled at your child and then all of a sudden freaked out because you’re convinced you’ve wrecked your child for life? If you have, you’re in good company.
All parents struggle with the “D” word: discipline. Even the word itself might make you cringe. When I was a young mother, I hated discipline. I wanted to be the nice mom. I wanted my kids to like me. I even did the just wait until your father comes home threat so I could avoid doing the discipline myself.
But over the years I’ve learned the true purpose of discipline and why it’s necessary. We don’t discipline our kids to be mean to them. We discipline our kids to teach them self-control. This is the ultimate goal of discipline, that your child will learn to have healthy relationships, a good work ethic and a happy and balanced life, all of which require proper, loving discipline done with just as much courage as kindness.
Disciplining your child—in the right way—actually communicates love to him. It shows him you care about his well-being and his future. It shows him you are paying attention to him.