Is Your Discipline Damaging the Spirit of the Child?

If your parenting methods include abuse of any kind; physical, sexual, emotional or verbal, please get help to stop as soon as possible. Adults are supposed to safeguard and protect the young among us. You may be repeating patterns learned in your family of origin or not know any other methods of parenting.

I have included a number of different approaches to discipline that won't damage the spirit of your precious children, but none will work if you haven't acknowledged that what you were doing in the past was harmful and that your family deserved a more nurturing environment. I am not a psychologist or a counselor, but I know there are good ones out there who can assist you in shifting your paradigm of discipline to a more loving and respectful relationship. You owe it to your children and yourself to break the bonds and cycle of abuse and get help. Change is possible; I see it every day in families I work with. You are a good, kind and loving person or you wouldn't be reading this book and attending these classes, so I encourage you to take the steps that will change the lives of your children and their children.

You can do it. I believe in you.

A list of talking points to help you discipline without damage is listed below.

? The meaning of the word discipline ? Is your love unconditional ? Be both firm and kind in discipline ? Adults also need time out ? Teach them that mistakes are never final ? We all need boundaries ? Consistent does not mean rigid ? Discipline but never punish ? Catch them doing things right ? Teach without anger, shame or blame ? There is no such thing as a "good" or "bad" child ? Issue a warning, but mean it ? Spanking and screaming are not effective teachers ? Eliminate "Who's at Fault?" ? Be aware of your body and facial language ? Treat each child as an individual ? Be careful of abusive adjectives, they really hurt ? Recognize effort and improvement ? Don't punish them for telling the truth ? Deal with problems in private, praise in public ? Distinguish between minor mishaps and major problems ? Teach them to forgive and ask for forgiveness ? Be curious not furious-Ask questions

This handout has been prepared for you by Judy H. Wright, Parent Educator. It is part of a new book, Raise a Confident Child which will be coming out soon. For Free reports and to subscribe to the "Artichoke-finding the heart of the story in the journey of life" please join us at www.ArtichokePress.com

Judy H. Wright is a parent educator and life coach. Her passion and joy is in working with Head Start staff and Child Care providers to create a climate where every child succeeds and blossoms. The website http://www.ArtichokePress.com contains many free articles and reports as well as books, workshops and tele-classes for parents and educators.

In The News:

Helping Your Kids Handle Divorce

Every year over one million parents have to talk to... Read More

Couch Potatoes Beware!

It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight... Read More

Bird Flu Pandemic

What are the easiest things citizens can do to prevent... Read More

From Go Fast Kids to Calm Kids

How excited do kids get with the start of school... Read More

Should We Apologize To Our Children?

An apology is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sometimes... Read More

Punishing the Victim -- Why Public Schools Pressure Parents To Give Their Kids Mind-Altering Drugs

Public-school teaching is structured in such a way that it... Read More

Guide to Choosing a Computer System for Your Child

Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe... Read More

Alias: Aptitude

Be aware. You may become totally overwhelmed when you get... Read More

Small Children, Languages and Myths

Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part... Read More

15 New Years and Holiday Resolutions For Parents

Have you made your usual New Year resolutions? You know... Read More

The Most Innovative New Approach for ADHD, a Natural Remedy

What's new and effective in the treatment of Attention problems?... Read More

Keep the Little Ones Safe, Follow Pool Safety Guidelines

Pool safety should be on the minds of every parent... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: Teens and Violence

I have a bit of a different response than most... Read More

Stop Lying NOW

Do you have a consistent problem with your child lying... Read More

The Added Advantage In African American Childrens Education: Computer Homeschooling (Part 2)

We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit how... Read More

How to Raise Creative Kids

"Where did he come up with that?" Kids often amaze... Read More

Top Ten Common Sense Rules for Fathers

There are a lot of sophisticated parenting theories and techniques... Read More

Diagnosing ADHD in Your Child, an Introduction

Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More

Teach Your Child About Money

What are we teaching our children about money? Hopefully something!I... Read More

The Courage to Be a Loving Parent

Most of us really don't like it when someone is... Read More

Friends Are A Gift You Give Yourself

My oldest boy is fifteen and was a real jerk... Read More

Let Kids Help

One fantastic way to get your children involved in what... Read More

Peer Pressure - Five Ways to Help Teenagers Beat Peer Influence

Young people generally want to fit in to their various... Read More

Twelve Tips To Connect With Teachers At Conference Time

It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More

Spend Time Not Money With The Kids This Winter

Spending quality time with your children doesn't need to cost... Read More