Punishing without paddling...

 

Though I’ve been a teacher since a long time so I’ve been dealing with kids a lot but the real meaning of ‘understanding a kid’ imbibed in me when I became a mom. There are times when kids will make mistakes; some mistakes might make you (as a parent) feel like paddling.

Before you hit your kid, ask yourself "Is hitting the only solution to this situation?"

Physical punishments like paddling are never an option because once you started it there is no turning back. Your kids learn from you. Paddling results into extreme behaviors; the kid may turn extremely violent or may turn intimidated. It not only injures the kid but they also turn stubborn and it may affect them mentally. Kids who are paddled showed higher tantrums as compared to others.

Remember:

• ·         Kids are kids, they’ll make mistakes.
• ·         Try different ways to show anger instead of beating.
• ·         Your behaviour will be transferred to them and their upcoming generations.
• ·         They are your kids, you know them well and you can handle any situation.  

Things that can be done instead of paddling:

• ·         Punish by deducting their play time, TV. time or anything that they love doing.
• ·         Negative reinforcement such as avoid talking to them till they realise their mistake. (don’t be too harsh though)
• ·         Get them indulged into a task that they dislike e.g. cleaning their room, or arranging their closet, etc.
• ·         Increase their study time, or let them know that if they misbehaved their vacations may get cancelled.
• ·         Cook meal they prefer the least.

P.S. : Never get scared of the tantrums and tears. What you are doing is all for your kids’ wellness and betterment. There is no sure shot method of parenting but we too make mistakes and learn, so let the kids make mistakes and learn.