Tips on Discipline

TIPS ON DISCIPLINE

think before you speak
take your time (unless the situation is life-threatening)
sit down and create a plan
always speak quietly when you discipline or correct a child
you can do it hours after the misbehavior occurred
don\'t discipline if you are upset
don\'t discipline if you\'ve disciplined too much during that hour or day
don\'t discipline if you or the child are very tired
speak as few words as you can when you discipline
never use anger as part of the discipline
don\'t be dramatic - no door slamming, fist pounding or yelling
use small negative consequences for regular misbehavior
use large consequences ONLY when the behavior is very dangerous, destructive or completely disrespectful
don\'t ever ask a child why she misbehaved
never discipline in front of guests; take care of it after they leave.
help the child avoid discipline by asking for appropriate behavior in advance
do not threaten negative consequences more than twice in one day
find other ways to gain cooperation (positive attention, rewards, etc.)
if you don\'t know what happened, don\'t discipline the child (you\'ll have lots of other opportunities!)
don\'t cancel your child\'s social arrangements as a form of discipline (because it also punishes an \"innocent\" child)
never use ignoring as a form of discipline
never carry a child to his room or thinking chair - keep hands off (see \"Raise Your Kids without Raising Your Voice\" to learn how!)
always warn a child before giving him a consequence
never threaten something scary or overwhelming (like threatening to leave a child in the shopping mall alone).
learn more about discipline strategies in books, on-line and in classes so that you have plenty of options and lots of skill