Parenting
Check Out This Discipline Cheat Sheet and Try Not to Chuckle by Jenna Thompson March 20, 2016
This discipline cheat sheet might not be the most effective way to tackle a tantrum. Picture yourself in the middle of a meltdown with your little one. They’re losing it. You’re losing it. Just when you think you can’t take it anymore, you suddenly remember! You’ve got a handy-dandy chart full of solutions that’s supposed to fix everything! Or maybe not.
A new “Discipline Cheat Sheet,” created by psychologist Dr. Emily Carter, offers some kinder alternatives to those often-used phrases that might not be super helpful during tricky moments with kids. Shared via the Gentle Parenting Facebook page, here it is.
First off, even if you spend hours studying this chart like it’s an exam for college, the likelihood that you’ll recall these gentle phrases in the heat of the moment is pretty slim. When emotions are running high, being calm and gentle is probably the last thing on your mind.
The intention behind this chart is commendable. Ideally, I wouldn’t roll my eyes when my child ignores my instruction to brush their teeth for the third time, but sometimes, they need to see the consequences of their actions. Kids have to witness our emotions to comprehend that their behavior can indeed push us to our limits. It’s part of how they learn.
Honestly, many of these phrases are things kids genuinely need to hear. If my daughter is making loud noises in the grocery store, you can bet I’m going to tell her it’s embarrassing. Especially if it’s the third time that day! How else will they understand what’s acceptable behavior in public unless we address it directly? Sometimes, we need to be firm—not every situation calls for a quiet chat and a hug.
There are times when a child needs to be told they’ve crossed a line and need to go to their room. Sure, there are moments when they’re just tired and need some love instead of punishment. But let’s be real: kids misbehave sometimes—fact. They don’t always need coddling. Sometimes, they need a consequence.
If our goal is to raise children who understand acceptable behavior and respond appropriately when they misstep, we can’t rely solely on hugs. It’s a lovely idea in theory, but when a child misbehaves, sending them to their room is a perfectly reasonable action. In fact, if you feel overwhelmed, stepping away for a moment might be just what you both need to cool off.
We all have moments when we’re less patient than our kids deserve. That’s when this chart might come in handy. But if your child is acting out and knows better, it’s okay to take away their video games or express your frustration. We can’t always have the perfect response, and that’s totally fine.
Take these charts with a grain of salt. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to disciplining kids. We’re all doing our best, and that’s what truly matters.
By the way, if you’re curious about other parenting topics, check out this post about home insemination methods at this link, or learn about essential tools for self insemination at this link, which is a fantastic resource. And for those interested in pregnancy journeys, this article on the IVF process at this link is very helpful.
In summary, while these discipline strategies can be useful, remember that every child is different, and there’s no perfect method for every situation. You’re navigating this parenting journey as best as you can, and that’s what counts.