I don't want to use spanking at all. But I honestly don't know how to discipline or punish my children at 6 months and 16 months. Are they too young?
Not that spanking really works or anything, but it is all I know. That's how I grew up. Until I went to college and took some psychology classes I had fully intended on spanking my children as well. Only now that I believe I shouldn't do it I don't really know what to do. Any ideas?
I know time outs but I can't put my kids in time out. I'd have to sit on my one year old for her to stay for even half a minute. I do constantly say no and distract them or remove them from whatever it is. However, I am often busy with one child and need them to stop at a firm "NO" especially when it is something potentially dangerous. Am I just dreaming or is that even possible.
3 comments:
That's a tough one... time-outs work for us, but it is hard getting them to stay put in the beginning. It does get easier, though!
Just found your blog while searching "Irish Twins". Im not too far ahead of you. I have a 16 month old and a 27 month old. I think yours are still too young to discipline. But hey, Im still kinda new to this too. I look forward to reading the rest of your blog.
Discipline is a tough one. I have three children. My spouse is the "easy going" one and I am, sad to say, the strict one. I think what's important when you're disciplining children is to make the consequences as natural as possible.
Did you throw that toy at your sister? Then you lose that toy for the rest of the day.
When my children won't eat, I say, "Okay, that's your choice. But you're going to feel hungry and I'm not giving you anything more until the next mealtime or family snacktime."
If my child is screaming, I put her someplace safe (a playpen would work, but I use a chair in our living room) and tell her that she must be totally silent for a period of time (I usually use the number of minutes that equal their age.) Then, we'll talk about using words instead. But she has to calm down and quiet herself.
The best advice I ever got was from my older sister -- we grew up in a spanking household and had both decided *not* to use spanking. She said that the goal of discipline should always be to lead your child to self-discipline. As they get older, they need to find it in themselves to be making the right choice.
I hope this helps you as much as her words helped me.
-MM
Post a Comment