Disciplining your child can be one of the most challenging things to handle as a parent. But, you can turn it into peaceful parenting.
We all want our children to grow up to be respectful, successful members of society.
But, sometimes it’s difficult to determine the best way to go about making that happen without damaging their spirit or personality.
My 3-year-old daughter is as spunky as they come.
She is highly opinionated and independent and carries a wonderful air of confidence.
While this occasionally causes behavioral issues, it’s something that I never want to discipline out of her.
Instead, I want to shape those qualities; teach her how to use them appropriately to help her gain an edge in this world.
This is why I’ve always chosen to practice peaceful parenting.
What is Peaceful Parenting
Peaceful parenting is more than just not spanking your child.
It’s a lifestyle and a conscious decision that you will have to make daily as a parent.
By practicing peaceful parenting, you recognize your child’s needs and maturity level and “discipline” accordingly.
Check this out: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children
Simple Tips for a Peaceful Parenting
Giving you these simple solutions on how to handle your kids’ problems.
Tip 1: Focus on Resolving the Problem
Focus is on resolving the problem at hand instead of focusing on what your child did wrong.
You can tell a child that throwing a tantrum in Wal-Mart is wrong. But, they’ll never understand the situation until you’ve explained to them why it’s wrong, and given them an acceptable alternative to the tantrum.
Recent studies have shown how inefficient, and even detrimental, physical punishment can be on a growing child.
The first few years of your kiddo’s life are the most crucial. During this time, they develop vital qualities and skills, such as compassion, kindness, empathy, and basic problem-solving.
So you have to ask yourself,
“Is punishing my child with a spanking teaching them the best way to handle a disagreement?”
“Will raising my voice at her show her the proper way to communicate?”
Once you’ve looked at the situation in this way, the obvious answer is no.
Young children haven’t yet developed communication skills and are still fine-tuning their emotions.
They don’t know how to tell you that they’re angry or upset because they don’t know what that means.
This is when they look to you, as their parent, for an example.
By yelling at them, you’ve only instilled in them that yelling is an effective way to communicate.
By hitting them, you’ve shown them that hitting is acceptable within a disagreement.
Check this out: No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
Tip 2: Let Your Kid’s Voice Be Heard to Assess Their Problems
Instead, get down on their level. I mean literally, eye to eye.
Firstly, let them know that you’re not here to intimidate them. Ask your child what’s wrong.
Secondly, give them the opportunity to explain to you, in the best way they can, why they’re upset or angry.
Then finally, take the chance to find an answer to the problem with your child. Include them in the solution; let them know that their opinions and feelings matter.
To Summarize
Peaceful parenting won’t always be easy. You will fail; miserably sometimes.
You simply have to forgive yourself and move forward.
No one is perfect, but when you work with your child instead of against them, no matter how young or old, you’ll be amazed at how peaceful and happy your home can truly be.
If you find this article helpful, we have more valuable parenting tips for you on the link below.
My name is Andrea Thompson and I’m a home based freelance writer. I’m 23 years old, married to my best friend, and mother to a wonderfully independent and opinionated 3 year old girl and step-mother to a sweet seven year old boy. I live in a tiny, little town in Kentucky, where I spend my free time fishing with my kids.
Writing has always been my passion, which I followed through high school, and for a while in college. Life happened, and once I discovered we were pregnant, I switched directions; opting for the healthcare industry because of the stability.
Finally, years later, I was in a place where I could leave the day job that never truly made me happy, and pursue my dreams. I’ve built, and am still building, my writing career from scratch. But, I’m passionate and I’m good at what I do. And, in the end, I can prove to my daughter that she can do anything she wants with this life.
