Many parents believe that spanking is the quickest and most efficient approach to alter their child's behavior. And it frequently has short-term success. However, research indicates that slapping children has negative long-term effects.
Here are eight alternatives to spanking your child if you're seeking for a non-physical way to discipline them.
1. Time Out
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It sends a confusing message to hit children for acting out, especially if they are being aggressive. Your kid will be perplexed as to why hitting them is acceptable from you but not from them hitting their sibling. A far better option may be to put a child in time-out. When used properly, time-out teaches children how to control their emotions, which is a valuable life skill.
However, children must spend a lot of quality time inside with their parents for a time-out to be beneficial. Once they are taken out of a scenario, kids will start to learn how to control their emotions, express them appropriately, and make different decisions in the future.
2. Losing Privileges
The idea is not to beat your child into submission, but to teach them how to make better decisions in the future. This, however, takes practice. If they make a poor decision, tell them that the penalty is the loss of a privilege. The loss must be linked to the behavior.
Make it obvious when privileges can be reclaimed. Typically, 24 hours is sufficient time to teach your youngster to learn from their mistakes. "You've lost TV for the rest of the day, but you can earn it back tomorrow by picking up your toys the first time I ask," you might remark.
3. Ignoring Mild Misbehavior
In some cases, selective ignoring is more efficient than spanking. This does not imply that you should ignore anything your child is doing that is risky or improper. However, you can disregard attention-seeking conduct.
Don't give in to your child's attempts to attract your attention by whining or moaning. Avoid eye contact, act as if you can't hear them, and remain silent. Then, when they behave themselves or make polite requests, turn back to them. They will eventually understand that acting politely is the greatest approach to acquire what they want.
4. Teaching New Skills
The fact that spanking doesn't teach your child how to behave better is one of its key drawbacks. The next time your child is unhappy, spanking them won't help them learn how to control their emotions.
Learning to handle problems, control one's emotions, and compromise benefits children. Parental instruction of these skills can significantly lower behavioral issues. Use discipline that is intended to teach rather than to punish.
5. Logical Consequences
Using logical consequences is a terrific strategy to support children who are having particular behavioral issues. The misconduct is explicitly linked to the logical implications.
For instance, if your child skips supper, don't let them have a snack before bed. Alternatively, if they won't put their trucks away, don't let them play with them the remainder of the day. Children are more likely to understand that their actions have direct consequences when the consequence is linked to the behavior issue.
6. Natural Consequences
Children are able to learn from their own mistakes thanks to natural consequences. Let your child go outside and feel cold, for instance, if they insist they won't wear a jacket—as long as it's safe to do so. When you believe that your child will learn from a mistake they made, use natural consequences. Make sure that your child won't be in any genuine risk by keeping an eye on the situation.
7. Reward for Good Behavior
Reward a youngster for good behavior rather than spanking them for disobedience. For instance, if your child frequently clashes with their siblings, implement an incentive system to encourage improved communication.
Giving someone a reward for being good can quickly stop misbehavior. Instead of emphasizing the inappropriate behavior that they should try to avoid, rewards let kids concentrate on what they need to accomplish to obtain privileges.
8. Praise for Good Behavior
Prevent behavior problems by capturing your child doing something positive. Point out when they are playing well with their siblings, for example. "You're doing such a terrific job sharing and taking turns today," you say.
Give the most attention and praise to the children who are following the rules and acting properly when there are multiple youngsters in the room. When the other child starts behaving well, give them praise and attention as well.
