How To Get The Best Education Possible: Tip #12

It is necessary to discipline your child from time to time. The most important thing is to be consistent and always focus on the behavior and not the child.  When disciplining your child you must find a balance.  Never punish your child in anger.  If you have to wait until you calm down, wait and then issue any consequences with a calm head.  If you believe in spanking,which I personally discourage,  make sure you never harm the child to the point you leave marks or bruises.  Always make sure your child understands why they are being punished and make sure the punishment matches the misbehavior.

Tip #12: Don't be too easy when disciplining your child. 

1. Usually when there is a parent that is too easy on discipline the child never truly understand what is expected behavior.  The parent tries to be a friend to their child and will many times do everything for the child.  Even things the child could or should do for themselves. 

2. When they do try to discipline the child it is usually inconsistent.  They give consequences, but never follow through and the child usually ends up getting out of the punishment.  The child knows just how far to push the parent to get out of the punishment.

3. Many times these parents will also blame everyone except the child for any bad behavior (and will even blame themselves before the child has to face consequences).  This certainly doesn't help the child understand what behavior is expected of them.

4. Usually the parents who are too easy with discipline build a fairy tale world for their child and makes sure life is as easy as possible.  Many children don't even have chores or any responsibilities at home. These children think someone is suppose to wait on them hand and foot.

5. Some parents who discipline too easy try to live through the child.  The child rules the home and every desire is tried to be fulfilled. The parent's desires and needs are put on hold, so their relationship suffers.

As a result of being too easy on discipline, many times it invites rebellion and unhappiness.  The child doesn't understand what the word "NO" means and will not respond to simple request the first, second, and sometimes third time asked.The child thinks they are the center of the universe and when they get to school and find out otherwise, they are sadly disappointed and sometimes are disliked by teachers and peers.  The solution is to have expectations for your child's behavior and if you punish make sure you follow through and are consistant.