Managing Love and discipline for your toddler
61Those beautiful innocent eyes, naughty smiles and unending talks are some of the most precious gifts of parenthood. Our kids turn our mundane daily routines into a unique memory through their words and actions. But, sometimes their actions bring our patience to the brink of breakdown. Especially between 2 to 5 years of age when they are struggling with their own sense of independence, constantly changing surroundings, new rules and regulations and the inherent strive to master every skill known to them.
We as parents are caught between managing love and discipline for our little crusaders. The choices often become tough and very easily we end up debating every day with our cherished ones. This power struggle is so common that most parents accept it as a part of their experience of parenthood. But, this kind of family environment is unhealthy for both parents and kids. It creates negative energy, lack of trust and aloofness in kids. With little effort and simple tricks, it is possible to reduce this stressful power struggle into a fun filled parenting experience.
I will be stating my own 10 rules for creating a wonderful balance between love and discipline for my 4year old daughter. I will elaborate in detail on each of the rules in subsequent posts. I hope to post them daily unless something urgent comes up. These rules work for my family and I am sure they will work for yours as well.
10 Rules for managing LOVE and DISCIPLINE for toddlers
1. LOVE: Communicate, play and lead by example
2. DISCIPLINE: Set basic ground-rules or as I call it make a ‘Discipline Strategy’
3. LOVE: Encourage independence, determination and willingness to explore unknown
4. DISCIPLINE: Train them to respond to your call for ‘STOP’
5. LOVE: Become a part of their active world- Get your hands dirty sharing activities kids love.
6. DISCIPLINE: Discourage wrong behavior in a consistent way
7. LOVE: Calculate your love success – kid’s laugh time > kid’s cry time
8. DISCIPLINE: Calculate your discipline success – 4/5 positive response to your ‘STOP’ call
9. LOVE: Be flexible – Let them win sometimes knowing that it will bend some of your rules
10. DISCIPLINE: Never bend your basic rules related to health, hygiene and safety
Trust me, it is not an easy task to be the perfect parent or being the kind of parent you really want to be. But remember that parenthood is not a destination, it’s a beautiful journey. It is the same for your kids and their behaviors are just a reflection of the quality of world around them. In my personal opinion, we as parents influence most of the strong behaviors in our kids. Right approach, right words, tons of love and tons of patience are the only few things really needed to be a successful parent. : )))
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Comments
Dear Fortunerep.. Thanks for taking time to post your wonderful comment. I totally agree with your 'Time Out' strategy and it works great with my daughter as well! She is willing to trade anything for not getting any response from us : )))
I am glad you liked my writing... keep coming to read the subsequent posts. Would love to read your feedbacks on them.
that I will do!
dori
These are great suggestions, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Rebecca.
I am glad you find them helpful.
this is wonderful organic thoughts :) I went back t read some of the otherhubs you have anthis is great as lwasy :)
I used the "one, two, three" instead of stop with my two/a lifetime ago...I was amazed from the beginning that it worked! How could a baby who couldnt count herself know that if I ever got to 3 it would be all over ? too funny..then to hear my son do it to his daughter about broke me up :) love and discipline indeed! but I am
old---er :) and glad he is the one doing the parenting! great writing organic thoughts keep going!!
fortunerep says:
5 months ago
and I tell you, raising a 3 year beautiful grandbaby she tugs at my heart and it is hard to descipline. I do though, I have too, The only time I spank Aaliyah is when she gets into something or does something that could hurt her like trying to run to road etc. The rest of the time I use time out and I know alot of folks thinks that BS but she hates it, she got time out yesterday and asked me to give her a spanking instead. Time out works for me if I mention it she changes her facial expression. Thanks for this and personally, keep em coming.