12 Secrets of Successful Families - 6. DIscipline

WHAT IT MEANS

The word discipline can mean to guide or to teach.  At times, that includes correcting a child's misbehavior.  Often, though, it involves imparting training that helps a child learn to make good choices in the first place.

WHY IT MATTERS

 In recent decades, discipline has all but disappeared from some households, as parents feel that correction might lower a child's self-esteem.  However, wise parents set reasonable rules and train their children to abide by them.

"Children need boundaries to help them grow into well-rounded adults. Without discipline, children are like a rudderless ship-which will eventually go off course or even capsize." - Pamela.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Be consistent.  If your child does not adhere to your rules, enforce consequences.  On the other hand, readily commend your child when he or she complies. 

BIBLE PRINCIPLE:  "Whatever a person is sowing, this he will also reap." - GALATIANS 6:7.

Note: This may sound bad to most or all people; but when I did something that was bad as a child, I was disciplined with a spanking, one or two taps on the bottom. And I remember that was once, because I got out where it was dangerous. As I got older, I got a look from my mom that told me I better not do bad.  That is all it took for me.   Then as I became a teen, I  kind of talked back to her.  She gave me a slap in the face.  I deserved what I got then and later.  I had/have more respect for my parents for doing that.   People seem to get spanking and beating all confused. Beating is what I got from an ex-husband. Beatings is when they don't know when to quit and they keep doing it time after time. A spanking is what I got  a pop on the bottom and rare at that, because I knew better. I also could not lie to my mother, she knew every-time, evidence or not.  Society and the government has made parents afraid to discipline their children correctly. I learned  responsibility and the value of a dollar. Now days, the kids think they should have everything they think they should have and the parents go into debt or bankruptcy giving them what they want whether they can afford it or not.   THAT IS WRONG! 


Next time: 12 Secrets of Successful Families -Conclusion of 6, Discipline

From the jw.org publications