In his best-selling book Bringing Up Boys, Dr. James Dobson says:
1. To parent does not mean to show frustration, lose control, use angry words, use wild gestures, scream or shout.
2. To parent means to show confidence, maintain authority, use a few quiet words, discipline a child appropriately (give the child a moderate spanking, administer a time-out, or use another lesser punishment). Discipline should always be followed by a hug, words of encouragement and a brief summary of what the child did wrong and how he or she can avoid getting into trouble the next time.
3. What goals should you have when you discipline your son or daughter? You want the child to learn how to:
- control behaviors and attitudes
- develop self-control
- postpone gratification
- reap the rewards of work
- become trustworthy
Other parenting tips from the Rev. Ren Broekhuizen:
4. Don’t ask a question when you need to issue a call for action.
5. Don’t allow your child to move the goal line. When you call him or her to act, expect prompt obedience. Skip counting to three or five. If the child can obey in his or her own sweet time, who’s in charge? Don’t abdicate your role as the parent.
