Modern day parenting - How to discipline your kid?

I attended a very interesting talk about modern day parenting; it was informative to know that many parents feared their children’s tantrums and reactions and bent down to please them. Though it is OK to give in once in a while to the children’s wishes, most children feel secure in an environment with boundaries, where rules are gently but firmly enforced and negative behavior not encouraged. This is necessary for their healthy emotional development.

Here are five discipline strategies that work:

1. Do not give in often to your children:

Though it may be difficult to not give in, it is best to not fear children and set limitations and create a structure. Acting as the leader of the pack and making children live within boundaries enables them to thrive.

2. Do not create routines around one child:

This would promote a selfishness and self-centeredness in the child; it also promotes stress and uneasiness among others whose needs have been overlooked. Then the child has to make a small sacrifice to accommodate the needs of others will learn to be considerate and there would be great harmony at home.

3. Do not avoid setting guidelines for acceptable behavior:

Set guidelines for acceptable behavior that can be enforced; make simple and clear rules that you as a parent can enforce at all times.  When there are clearly defined rules and consequences the child knows exactly where he/she is.  

4. Try to be consistent in enforcing guidelines:

Then a child will have clear understanding of your expectations; enforce punishment and withholding privileges associated with a certain offense without feeling guilty. Never try to compensate and undo the consequences.

5. Never avoid an encounter with a child:  

This will only send a message to the child that something is wrong with him/her; do not retrieve into another room, but establish weekly meetings to provide a non-threatening atmosphere to solve challenges. Make sure your nanny is a part of these discussions, so the rules stay consistent.

Being a parent or nanny requires nerves of steel and a backbone of iron; the above guidelines can help you to tackle the difficult aspect of bringing up a child.   

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