how do you discipline your kids?

When my girls were little, I used the timeout routine. The only problem with this was my oldest would just fall asleep and my youngest would sit there and sing and make up stories to entertain herself... The best thing I did with both of them was to talk to them constantly...even when I was exhausted from working two or three jobs to keep the roof over our heads. As they got older, I used a neat trick to bring reality home to them...I always kept a few new toys hidden in my room. When they had messed up at school or home, I would bring out a toy and say that even though I was disappointed in what they did, I had been thinking about them all day and bought this for them because I loved them so much...This worked very well when they were young. It taught them that Even though they had done wrong and needed a good talking to, I would always love them and understand. When they were in middle school, they would lose privileges for disobedience or poor grades on important tests. My oldest did not watch much TV because she hated to do homework and study for tests...She is now a school teacher herself...I think the message got through, don't you? I did not use corporal punishment. I came from a very abusive childhood and decided long before I had kids that I would not do this to my own. Both girls turned out wonderful. They are outstanding adults now and give back to the community more than they take...I am a very proud Mother...

I give discipline to my children by applying habitually. For example, when their time to learn, I turn off the TV from the beginning I told them to learn and I'll turn on it after they learn.

Being a father I always talk to my kids and play with them as a friend. I ask what they want in life even if I can't provide it...I still just telling to them that being a good children will makes everything happen..."you need to study hard and be the number one in your school"...I always encourage them to pray and have faith with God...

I raised three sons. The two who are still among the living are now both good Christian men. I lost one in a car accident when he was just a few months shy of his 21st birthday. I disciplined by talking reasonably with them with spanking only if they continued to do things I had talked with them about several times. The spankings were not often. I do not believe in shouting at a child - they just turn off their 'hearing buds' at the first shout. The reasoning sessions cannot be long, or you will lose their attention - the sessions should match the child's attention span. I rewarded them with special treats (going to a friend's house to play, going to a movie they wanted to see, or otherwise). My boys didn't get an 'allowance' - they did chores for a set amount of money each and marked them on their chart so I would be able to pay them weekly. If they didn't do their chores, they made less and had less spending money to do with as they wished. Now, with one approaching his 50th birthday and the other his 47th, they are both my friends as well as my sons whom I love dearly and vice versa.

My favorite is much like time out but we called it "think about it", she would go and sit on her bed with nothing (no toys) and think of what she did wrong and then we would discuss the situation, this was effective from the time she was 2 1/2 years old. I do the counting too but backwards 3,2,1 consquence, she doesn't like the counting. Most of the time I will say things like, please do your chores, thank you and walk away with full expectation of it being forfilled, it works 85% of the time. Or simply do you want me to harp? I will ground her or take priveleges away, But only for severe disobedience. Like leaving the yard without asking, being rude to me without cause. I never belittle her in front of her friends ever, I don't scream at her or make her feel terrible about her own self worth. I find a gentle but firm hand is all it takes. Communication is the best way to know what your child thinks and feels. And for your child to know what you as a parent thinks and feels. By giving a child a consistant routine and always being consistant when it comes to rules, children thrive. Let you yeses be yes and your nos no! Bad behaved children come from parents who aren't consistant and let thier children be the boss.

First and foremost i don't have a kid, but i love to have one. So if you are planning to give out your kid, I can get it and take care of them. First i discipline my nieces or nephews by asking them what have they done and why they do it. Then, I give them piece of advice. On the second offense, I make sure that they will suffer.

when the kids were younger, we do not spare the rod when there is a 'big sin'. we make them lie down on the sofa and they get a beating of three slaps on the buttocks. but that is just when there is a grave misconduct. this was not a regular thing in the house and we tried very hard to share love and understanding and also discipline. we did not shout at them in front of anybody, nor did we lock them in the CRs but we ground them at times - no tv, no play, but has to sweep the floor or organize their things. i guess it is important to let the kids know what is right from wrong and what they could get when they choose right or wrong.

well you are right about it always being a touchy situation but its reality and it has to be done so why tip-toe around it, ya know! I feel like you discipline your kids according to how each one of them react to you telling them no, stop or dont...meaning some kids only need to be scolded where other kids may need to be spanked. I for one would no agree with slapping any kid in the face though. Thats considered abuse (in my eyes) but i feel like you should do it in stages. If speaking on things does not wrk then of corse taking something they like away from them and yes on lessen their allowance or mine tends to ask for toys and things at the store so its no if thy have been in trouble or acting up...then after that spanking and after that, well for me that works but for others it may not so I cant speak on that. My oldest son is very well mannered (thank goodness) but right now my youngest is going through the terrible two's so everything is no, and i ont want too so I have been having to discipline him daily but lets hope for the best on that! LOL

One of the most important things in bringing up children is; be consistent. Yes is yes and no is no. Do not say sometimes 'yes' and another time 'no' in the same situation. Children like to go 'shopping'. The rule of thumb is when one parent has agreed (or disagreed) the other parent has to do the same, even if he or she doesn't agree. It is very important for parents to set the right example. Children like to copy their parents' behaviour.