Do you know the dreadful feeling of having sat beside a wailing child (that’s not yours) in a public place? Don’t that just make you feel like you need to do or say something to calm the child down – but obviously can’t because they’re not yours to discipline? If so, help the world be a much better place by disciplining yours the right way – the mean way.
1. Make them pay for their own stuff
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There is nothing more rewarding than hard-earned money. Teach your child the value of material things; if your child really wants something, they will work for it. They will feel like they have worked hard to achieve something. If they have to pay for all or part of that price, they’ll appreciate it more. You may also avoid paying for something your child only wants until he has it. If he’s not willing to go half with you, he probably doesn’t want it that badly.
2. Don’t pull strings
Do not use your own connections to get them a job, or worse, a free pass at life. Make them work for it so that important life skills and values can be embedded throughout their lives. You are robbing your child of the chance to make the best of a difficult situation. If children never learn to handle it, you’re setting them up for failure.
3. Make them work for things (child labour, yes!)
It is not a bad thing to “bribe” them ($1or $2 is fine, please don’t go overboard) into doing simple chores that young children normally wouldn’t do – like mopping the floor, hanging the clothes out to dry or cleaning the kitchen. It motivates them and teaches them about responsibility, and can even be made into a family activity.
4. Make them apologise
If your child is doing something wrong or has offended somebody, correct him immediately and teach him the importance of saying sorry. It teaches them about graciousness which links to my next point.
5. Mind their manners
As parents, you have to be conscientiously aware of the way they behave around others. If there are constantly throwing tantrums at you, they are probably going to do the same thing to others around them. By making politeness a habit, you’ll be doing your kids a huge favour. Good manners go a long way toward getting someone what they want. We’ve all heard the saying, “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
6. Don’t always buy the latest and greatest
Do not spoil your kids with the newest gadgets and toys! Many of the newest gadgets were asked for on impulse anyway so to prevent that, just say no! Be reasonable with the things you want your child to possess and don’t go overboard. They will eventually learn to work for what they want and know the value of money and gratitude.
7. Let them feel loss
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If your child drops his ice cream cone (yikes), don’t replace it. He’ll learn a valuable lesson about being more careful. If your child forgets to study for a test and ends up failing it, let them have the lower grade and even ask their teachers for remedial on behalf of them. You are teaching responsibility — who doesn’t want responsible kids? They can help remind you of all the things you forget to do.
8. Control media
Don’t let your kids watch a film or play a video game that is inappropriate for children just because all their friends have done it. Look for classification codes on the video games your child is buying. More often than not, parents aren’t aware that some of their video games they already have contain explicit images and extremely crude language. If you stand up for decent parenting, others may follow. Create some positive peer pressure.
9. Make them sleep at a reasonable time
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The right sleeping patterns need to be cultivated when they are young. Be the parent and put your child to bed. No one ever said the kid had to want to go to bed. They may put up a fight at first, but with consistency, they’ll learn you mean business.
10. Make them work for free
Make service a part of your child’s life. Simple things like “give your grandma a helping hand” or “help your little sister tie her shoes” works wonders in instilling in them a sense of empathy It teaches them to look outside themselves and realise that other people have needs and problems, too — sometimes greater than their own.
