Description of discipline technique:
There are a few simple rules to effective discipline. I am strongly against spanking or any other form of physical abuse. After all, aren't we, as parents, supposed to raise a child to function well in our society? Adding shame and fear by spanking or using verbal abuse and creating low self esteem are not a good way to raise a healthy child. Here is the alternate way.

1. Study child development. Without proper knowledge, we cannot understand what our child is learning and thinking at his or her level. With knowledge, we know what they are capbable of understanding, and knowing how to communicate with them in a language that they can fully understand.

2. Find a punishment to fit the crime, acceptable to their age level and understanding.

3. Parents, this is most important. Follow through!!!!! If you tell your child that they are on time out for 15 minutes, follow through. Don't disturb them and ask if they are ready to be a good girl or boy and then let them out. This gives children control. Parents make this mistake the most, and then end up spanking out of frustration when they don't see results with this kind of discipline! Follow through with your punishment, do not give in!

4. Teach children to be responsible. Put out an egg timer in the morning and tell them that they have 15 minutes to eat their breakfast before they go to school and set the timer. When the timer goes off and they still havn't touched their meal, send them on their way with empty stomachs. They will quickly learn (and in the long run, will learn to also be responsible). The same goes with getting dressed in the morning. If they are not dressed in the amount of time given in the morning, send them to school in their pajamas! I guarantee that they will never forget to dress again.

5. Be consistent. Make sure your child's routine is the same every day. They should be responsible for eating, getting dressed, and helping out with chores at the same time and for the same length of time. This helps them become aquainted with time and being responsible with what they do in that time.

6. Be a good role model. Children's actions reflect yours, so if your eating habits or language are bad, theirs will be, too. They mirror everything you do. So be a good role model and give them someone to look up to!

7. Praise them when they have done well. I don't mean give them candy or toys. What I mean is a hug or some kind of affection. Or, if they are at the age where affection embarrasses them, verbably tell them that you are proud. This always means a lot to a child. They always mean well and want to please you!

Appropriate age group(s):
for every age