A Child's View of Discipline
Your child, speaking to you, being honest about their view of discipline...
Mom, Dad - don't forget that the purpose of your discipline is to learn from you.
Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it. It lets me know where I stand.
But don't use force with me. It teaches me that power is all that counts, and I will respond more readily by being lead and taught.
And pease don't be inconsistent. That confuses me and makes me try harder to get away with everything I can.
Don't make me feel smaller than I am. I may make up for it by acting like a big shot.
And don't do things for me that I can do for myself. It makes me feel like a baby and I may continue to put you into my service.
Please don't correct me in front of people. I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly to me in private.
Don't ever think it's beneath your dignity to apologize to me. An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm toward you.
And don't try to preach to me. You'll be surprised how well I already know what's right and what's wrong.
And don't tax my honesty too much. I'm easily frightened into telling lies.
Don't make promises if you are not able to keep them. It will discourage my trust in you.
Don't make me feel like my mistakes are sins. I have to learn to make mistakes without feeling I'm no good.
And don't nag. I shall have to appear deaf to protect myself.
Don't demand explanations for my wrong behavior because I usually don't know why I did it.
And don't forget that I can't thrive without lots of understanding and encouragement. I'll do almost anything for your approval.
And one more thing -- Mom, Dad -- I learn so much moer from you as a model than as a critic.
~Paul Harvey