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Discipline Techniques
My two-year-old daughter is an average toddler with her good and bad points. I try to do everything in a positive way. A lot of people tell me when my daughter's having a bad day or not listening that I'm not strict enough and that children should be afraid of their parents. My daughter is definitely not afraid of me. What's your opinion on this?
While parents in generations past may have believed that motivating children through fear was an effective method of discipline, that way of thinking went out of style along with beehive hairdos and gelatin salads.
Most parenting experts today believe that the most effective discipline methods build upon the bond of love that exists between parent and child, and that discipline works best if it focuses on teaching rather than punishing a child. Not only does such an approach feel better to the parent and the child: it tends to be a whole lot more effective over the long run. And that's what we want to be thinking of when we're making these types of parenting decisions -- the long-term benefit to the child. After all, parenting is a long-distance marathon, not a sprint!
- Ann Douglas
This question was answered by Ann Douglas, author of 27 books, including The Mother of All Pregnancy Books (U.S. edition and Canadian edition); The Mother of All Baby Books (U.S. edition and Canadian edition); The Mother of All Toddler Books (U.S. edition and Canadian edition); The Mother of All Parenting Books (U.S. edition or Canadian Edition); and The Mother of All Pregnancy Organizers. Find out more about Ann.