subject: Parenting Tips: Taking Steps to Avoid Punishments [print this page] Parenting Tips: Taking Steps to Avoid Punishments
Nothing disrupts a peaceful afternoon more than the sound of your children fighting over a toy. No matter what you've tried, they just can't seem to share well, and the situation quickly dissolves into slaps and tears. You've tried encouraging them to share, and talking to them about why it's important, but it hasn't helped, and now, it's driving you to distraction. Here's a good parenting tip: the next time it happens, instead of punishing your children for fighting, try a positive parenting approach by planning ahead to avoid the arguments altogether!One of the biggest challenges to positive parenting is when your child misbehaves. You want to encourage, not punish. Plan ahead, and see if you can avoid the problem even happening in the first place.Every child is different, and no one knows your child better than you. If you take a moment to think about it, you know exactly when your son or daughter is likely to go astray.If your son loves snacks, store them out his of reach. Even better, don't bring them home in the first place.Childproofing your home in this way will avoid so many arguments, and will help save you precious time and energy.In general, children react to their environments. Young children can find it difficult to control themselves in the face of strong temptation. It's our job as parents to teach our children how to contain their impulses and react properly, but we need to understand where there are trouble spots, and avoid leaving them available.The other important parenting tip is to be consistent. If a child feels that the rules of the house are never changing, it can be easier for them to process.If getting your child to tidy up is the hot button issue, make it a rule that every member of the family tidies up before dinner. It's not something to be rewarded, or punished. It's just what everyone does.If the same rule applies to every member of the family, it's easier for your child to obey, just as everyone else is doing.It helps your child feel as if they are an equal member of the whole family. It also shows them that you also live by the rules. If your child refuses, let them just sit there. Do not punish them, but they need to know that they must help before they move on to do something they want to do.By being firm on the rules, your child will learn that there is little gain in defying you, and that the quickest path to success is co-operation.An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, the old saying goes. When it comes to punishing your child, the best parenting tip to find a way to avoid doing it!Positive parenting can be a challenge when your child does something wrong. Take the time to think about your child, and see what you can do to limit the possibility of problems.
