Fixing Your Child’s Unacceptable Behavior

Simply meting out rewards and punishments is not enough in fixing your child’s unacceptable behavior. Here are some good tips that can help you out.

Milk and cookies. It was Bert and Ernie’s turn. Is it possible to be nice and disciplined? While it may sound like a bad idea to “punish” a child for doing good deeds, it’s actually a very effective strategy. However, the two are intertwined. 

The Latin word for ‘instruction’ is the source of the term discipline. Discipline is employed in a character-based approach to parenting in order to instill values like compassion and respect. Effective discipline requires more than just time-outs and talking-tos; it necessitates a multifaceted strategy.

Set a high standard for yourself and others to reach.

When it comes to setting ground rules, it’s more about crafting a mission statement that defines kindness as an inalienable part of your family’s values rather than a list of regulations. Have a discussion about what you believe in. 

Related article: How to Instill Kindness in Children

Make a point of reinforcing these principles.

Use examples from movies, books, and real-life to teach your children about acceptable behavior. It would help if you discussed the consequences of a cartoon character hurting another. You can’t expect your children to buy into your generosity if you hulk out on anyone who cuts the carpool line, no matter how much you preach about it.

Related article: How to Prevent Your Children from Developing the Same Biases as You Do

Infractions should be dealt with.

You’re better prepared to repair errors if you have a solid foundation in place. It doesn’t matter if your child mistreats you or another member of the family; you need to deal with it quickly and decisively. Explain what went wrong in a clear, forceful, and non-yelling way.

Related article: Discipline that Doesn’t Invoke Yelling

Use your ability to empathize to your advantage.

Explaining that your child has wounded someone is still the best course of action, even when their cruel deeds become more vocal and less physical. In most cases, children do not intend to inflict harm on others. As soon as they realize the damage they’re inflicting on the other person; it becomes more costly than beneficial.

Could you encourage them to make amends?

Admitting your mistake is only the beginning; you must also make amends. Children need to learn that when they commit a crime, they must take some form of action to make amends. 

First, they should apologize and then inquire, ‘What can I do to improve this situation?’ With your assistance, they might write an apology card or use their allowance money to replace a damaged toy, but most of the time, they’ll come up with something brilliant on their own.

It would help if you enforced consequences.

Additional punishment may be necessary to make a lasting impression depending on the severity of the incident. Instead of relying on their favorite things, like screen time or dessert, try to adapt your answer to them. I like it since it’s a classic “punishment that fits the crime” strategy. In terms of both kind and strength, the consequence should be significant. The results could be catastrophic if it is arbitrary or excessively harsh.

Related article: Dad’s Genius Punishment is #ParentingGoals

Assure them of your confidence in them.

No matter what happens, keep emphasizing your children’s good nature to anyone who will listen; eventually, it will sink in. In the end, youngsters will act in accordance with how they perceive themselves to be.

These tips are just some of the ways you can take in fixing your child’s unacceptable behavior.

Articles you might like: 7 Mistakes Every Parent Makes in Discipline, What To Do if Your Kid is Ignoring You, Reasons Why Timeout Isn’t Working For Your Child