This parenting discipline guide may not be the most practical approach for handling meltdowns. Picture yourself in the midst of a tantrum with your child. They’re at their breaking point, and so are you. Just when you think you can’t take it anymore, you remember! You have a comprehensive, lengthy chart packed with solutions right at your fingertips, ready to resolve all your dilemmas! Or maybe not.
The new “Discipline Guide,” developed by child psychologist Dr. Sarah Tran, offers kinder alternatives to the common phrases that many parents resort to during challenging moments with their kids. Sourced from the Facebook page Gentle Parenting, it presents some intriguing ideas.
First, even if you spend hours analyzing this guide as if you were preparing for an exam, the likelihood that you’ll recall these alternative phrases in the heat of the moment is extremely low. When you’re feeling overwhelmed and emotional, adopting a gentle approach is often the last thing on your mind.
The intention behind this guide is commendable. In a perfect world, I wouldn’t feel frustrated when my son ignores me for the fifth time when asking him to put away his toys. However, children often need to see the effects of their actions on us. They must understand that their behavior can push us to our limits. How else will they learn?
Moreover, many of these phrases are indeed valuable for kids to hear. If my daughter starts acting up in the grocery store, you bet I’ll tell her she’s embarrassing me—especially if it’s not the first time. How can children learn what’s acceptable behavior in public without clear guidance? I don’t need to whisk her away to a quiet place to nurse her feelings; I need her to stop acting out and recognize the impact it has on others.
Similarly, there are times when children must be instructed to go to their room if their behavior warrants it. Of course, there are moments when they’re simply tired or frustrated and could benefit from a comforting hug instead. But sometimes, kids do misbehave, and that’s a reality we cannot ignore. They don’t always require coddling; at times, they need to face consequences.
If we aim to raise children who understand acceptable behavior and respond appropriately when they stray, we can’t always opt for gentle methods. While a nurturing approach is lovely in theory, if a child has acted out, sending them to their room can be a reasonable and strategic response. When frustration mounts, stepping back can be beneficial—perhaps both of you need a moment to cool off.
We all have moments of impatience that our children may not deserve. In those times, the suggestions in this guide might prove helpful. However, if your child is simply being willful and knows better, it’s perfectly acceptable to enforce consequences. Rolling your eyes is not a crime. We can’t possibly have the ideal response for every situation, and that’s completely okay.
Approach guides like this with a critical eye. There is no one-size-fits-all method to discipline children. As parents, we’re all doing our best, and that’s what truly matters. For more insights on topics like home insemination, check out this blog post at intracervicalinsemination.com. And for those exploring fertility options, Make A Mom is a great resource. Additionally, Women’s Health offers excellent information on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, discipline is a complex topic without a one-size-fits-all solution. Each child and situation is unique, and parents must navigate these challenges with patience, understanding, and sometimes, a bit of humor.