Children are great teachers

Discipline is helping a child solve a Problem. Punishment is making a child suffer for having a problem. To raise problem solvers, focus on solution, not retribution. 

~ L.R. Knost

Our one-year-old and three-year-old granddaughters, along with our daughter, their mother, are spending the rest of the summer with us. It is a privilege to spend quality time with them. 

Like all children their age, they occasionally express BIG feelings and misbehave, challenging us to respond mindfully. 

Modelling good behaviour when disciplining

It takes 5 minutes to clean up spilled milk; it takes much longer to clean up a broken spirit. 

~ Rebecca Eanes

Correcting a child should be done with love and patience, not with actions that cause hurt or fear. Yet, it is easy to see how sleep-deprived and overworked parents can overreact and not be great role models.

I am often elated to see our daughter de-escalate and discipline without humiliating, especially when surrounded by extended family. 

Our son, “Uncle Chr”, to the little ones, has been a welcome source of unconditional love and entertainment.

For me, it was easier to stay home when my children were at that stage. I did not wish to reduce serenity for those less tolerant of normal childhood behaviour. 

Today, we strive to create a welcoming environment, recognizing that we may not always succeed. We make amends as needed.

Closing thoughts

It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.

~ L.R. Knost

When disciplining children, threatening, punishing and removing privileges seldom work. 

Inspiring good behaviour, when feeling embarrassed by dramatic reactions, is a skill that none of us has mastered.

Creating opportunities to practice thoughtful parenting in adverse circumstances facilitates growth and transformation.

Embrace discomfort. Children are GREAT teachers. We have much to learn.