There are ups and downs in parenting and there are chances of making plenty of mistakes along the way. One of the major challenge for you is the toddler discipline, how and when to do it.
Toddlers need discipline as it teaches responsibility, acceptable behavior and self control. Toddler discipline is nothing but teaching, guiding and nurturing your toddler. It takes patience and commitment to incorporate toddler discipline. But, it helps to put rules and limits early in toddler’s lives for their guidance.
No spanking! There are many ways of discipline, including but not limited to, spanking. Spanking is considered as hitting to impose pain in order to enforce toddler discipline. You should realize that spanking causes your toddler to fear and stop trusting you.
Spanking also builds anger, resentment and shame in your toddler and it can harm your relationship. Toddler’s self esteem and ability to have healthy relationships with others are affected by bad feelings which are developed by spanking.
Physical punishment is not good! Physical punishment makes your toddler grow resentful and feel there is something wrong with them to be treated so badly. If toddlers start to think that they are bad, they will act badly.
If you are using spanking for toddler discipline, you are setting example of using violence to solve problems. Toddlers imitate their parents’ behavior and follow violent acts to settle conflicts with other toddlers.
Rewards and punishments are good in toddler discipline as long as the parents are watching. But, you should teach to develop his self motivation. Some parents use spanking because they think that their toddlers will be highly obedient if they use physical punishment.
If you concentrate on obedience, your toddler becomes passive or more aggressive. Physical punishment affects the relationship between you and your toddler because no one feels loving towards someone who intentionally hurts them.
Love and affection are important! Strong bond can be formed by the cooperative behavior based on love, affection, kindness and cooperation. If you show anger and punish your toddler, it is stored inside and comes out later in life.
Punishment produces good behavior in toddler in early years but later it creates trouble when toddler reaches adulthood. If you follow physical punishment to correct your toddler discipline, toddler is deprived of the best opportunities to learn creative problem solving and you are deprived of the best opportunities for teaching the toddler strong moral values.
Become a role model! Loving support is the only way to make your toddler learn moral behavior based on strong inner values. You are the role model to your toddler. You have to explain and show your toddler how to solve the problems in a peaceful way. If you are calm and cool, your toddler learns the same thing from you.
You have to make routines and stick to them for proper toddler discipline. Encourage your toddler to share and discuss problems with you. Praise your toddler when rules are obeyed. Remain patient when rules are broken.
Time and patience pays! Time and patience are required in toddler discipline, but it can make parenting easier and more rewarding. You should tell your toddler that you love him even if he misbehaves. This helps your relationship with your toddler to grow stronger and your toddler learns important skills to help guide them through life. Gentle toddler discipline will pay off in the end.
Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for TheParentsZone.com. The Parents blog publishes new information on Parenting Skills like Single Parenting, Working Moms, Working Dads, Stay at home Parents, Parental Relationships, Family Issues, Potty Training and many more... Visit Parents Zone