{"id":2418,"date":"2025-02-05T10:19:33","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T10:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/champsnursery.com\/?p=2418"},"modified":"2025-02-05T10:36:32","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T10:36:32","slug":"9-alternatives-to-physical-discipline-that-actually-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/champsnursery.com\/?p=2418","title":{"rendered":"9 Alternatives to Physical Discipline that Actually Work"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you have kids of your own, you will understand.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s for their own good.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is how we were raised and we turned out alright.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

In a previous article we discussed the reality behind these statements. No matter how you look at it, physical punishment like beating or hitting your child is a habit to break.<\/p>\n

It destroys your children\u2019s psyche and burns holes in their relationship with you.<\/p>\n

It weakens their developing character, causes lifelong damage and makes them vulnerable to aggressive and abusive people.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to mention the risk of physical harm.<\/p>\n

SO WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER OPTIONS?<\/strong><\/p>\n

First and most importantly,\u00a0you have to start with yourself<\/strong>. Practice reminding yourself that your child is\u00a0NOT\u00a0<\/strong>upsetting you on purpose.<\/p>\n

Learn to\u00a0take deep breaths\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0step away\u00a0<\/strong>when you feel you\u2019re losing your cool. Understand that your\u00a0children\u00a0<\/strong>are attuned to your emotions, and\u00a0can feel when you\u2019re stressed\u00a0<\/strong>and act negatively without even realizing it.<\/p>\n

In brief,\u00a0draw a red line\u00a0<\/strong>in your mind where physical punishment is not a tool you can use.<\/p>\n

Here are some tools you can adopt instead:<\/p>\n

Time \u2018in\u2019.\u00a0<\/strong>This is a less popular approach because it\u2019s harder, despite being a treasured tool of\u00a0positive parenting<\/strong>. When your child starts crying or acting out, instead of pushing him or her away, take<\/p>\n

them to a safe place (like their bedroom), sit down and listen to them. You\u2019re not rewarding their bad behavior, you\u2019re being there in spite of it.<\/p>\n

Actively listen.<\/strong>\u00a0Children can be irrational, so arguing with them can be insane. Still, they need to know that they\u2019ve got a listening ear and ready advice in you.<\/p>\n

They idolize you. Your attention is often the best reward they can think of.<\/p>\n

Teach them to recognize their emotions using flashcards and cartoons. Ask them constantly: how\u2019s Sponge Bob feeling now? Why do you think that man on the street is yelling? Explain to them words like Angry, Sad and Excited.<\/p>\n

A huge cause of children acting out is because they simply don\u2019t understand what they\u2019re feeling and don\u2019t know how to express it.<\/p>\n

Conquer the urge to shout by whispering!<\/strong>\u00a0This can take some getting used to, especially if, like me, you\u2019re used to raising your voice so you\u2019ll be heard.<\/p>\n

Practice speaking in a calm voice whatever your mood. Have your kids learn to take your silence seriously.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re patient and persistent with this technique, next when you want to point out something important you can actually whisper it. They\u2019ve already learned to listen to you without shouting.<\/p>\n

Again, this will take time and practice, but you\u2019ll be raising even-tempered children who do not resort to loud voices to get their way. And doesn\u2019t our world need more leaders with these characteristics?<\/p>\n

Communicate with your kids by going down to their level.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Be firm.<\/strong>\u00a0If you teach your kids to trust your word, they\u2019ll know that when you threaten not to take them to see Nana if they don\u2019t finish their vegetables, you mean it.<\/p>\n

Be consistent.<\/strong>\u00a0Children like routine. They like knowing what to expect. If you\u2019re taking them to swimming practice, explain where you\u2019re going, who\u2019s going to be there and what detours you\u2019ll take along the way. Do that every time they\u2019re leaving the house or you\u2019re entertaining guests. Tell them before they start playing with friends\u2019 toys that they would have to give them back when it\u2019s time to leave.<\/p>\n

Remind them again later. Acknowledge and reward good behavior.<\/p>\n

To you it might not seem like a big deal, but children as a rule need help adapting to changes in their environment.<\/p>\n

Parent by modelling.<\/strong>\u00a0This is perhaps the crown jewel of the list.<\/p>\n

Your child learns so much from you. Even when they don\u2019t know it. The very best way to raise kind and gentle children is by acting kindly and gently yourself. Get a pet or a plant and show your child how to take care of it. Teach them responsibility and that it\u2019s okay to make mistakes and to feel frustrated. Say \u2018please\u2019 and \u2018thank you\u2019 and avoid using bad language even if your child isn\u2019t present.<\/p>\n

Create a kid-friendly environment,<\/strong>\u00a0which is like the emotional form of baby-proofing your apartment. Stick your kid\u2019s drawings and family pictures around the house. Try making chores like cleaning and tidying fun by maybe playing some music or dressing up and turning it into a dance party. Let your kid help you in whatever small way they can. Maybe you wash and they dry the dishes, or they help you set the dinner table. You fold the laundry and they put it in piles. Keep them occupied so you\u2019ll avoid them going off to make trouble while you do the house chores.<\/p>\n

Allow them to learn the consequences of their actions.<\/strong>\u00a0If your child refuses to eat their food, don\u2019t give them any snacks until it\u2019s time for the next meal. If they throw a tantrum when you try to get them to wear their jackets, send them out without them, let them feel hungry or cold so they will have learned the lesson when you reveal the jacket in the trunk of the car.<\/p>\n

Now you see that there\u00a0is\u00a0<\/em>an alternative form of parenting that avoids physical punishment altogether.\u00a0In fact, hitting and yelling are shortcuts<\/strong>, like\u00a0taking the easy way out\u00a0<\/strong>of situation after situation and destroying your child\u2019s character in the process.<\/p>\n

It may take more of your time and effort but at least your relationship with your baby will grow stronger and healthier.<\/p>\n

Do you have any other parenting techniques to deal with misbehaving children and tantrums? Do you have your own comments or thoughts? Share your experience with us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n