Discipline

Mommy's little angel? Not so much

Guest Author — Fri, 03 May 2013 10:00:00 -0700

Parents tend to think of their children as darling angels, capable of only brilliance, kindness and the occasional stroke of genius. Other people's kids are the discipline problems at school, right?

Survey: Tell us about your family

SheKnows Parenting Editors — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:15:00 -0700

We want to know all about your family. What kind of discipline techniques do you use? How much TV do your kids really watch? Who do you lean on when you need some help?

Consistency: The golden rule in good discipline

Alicia DiFabio — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:00:00 -0800

Whatever family rules you prioritize, values you want to instill or behaviors you wish to decrease, there is only one major rule that must be followed to see any change. That one golden rule is consistency.

Positive discipline: Why time-outs don't work

Susan Stiffelman — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:00:00 -0800

Do time-outs work as punishment for children? Family therapist and author Susan Stiffelman explains why they don't work, why they can actually cause clinginess in your child and what techniques are much more effective.

Single mom no more: Parenting with a partner

Monica Beyer — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:00:00 -0800

Your single parenthood came to an end when you made the decision to move in with your new boyfriend or got engaged to be married. What boundaries do you employ with your new co-parent, and how do the experts suggest you proceed?

Stranger discipline: Does it cross the line?

Amy Vowles — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Sometimes you are out in public and your kids are acting more unruly than you would like. You are doing your best to keep things under control when a stranger feels the need to step in and discipline your kids. Or worse, you are OK with your child’s behavior but a stranger scolds them anyway. When does a little discipline from strangers cross the line, and how should you respond to the situation?

Stop being the good cop

Molly Cerreta Smith — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 10:00:00 -0700

Always trying to be the good guy when you parent isn't the best way to get your kids to do what you want. Find out how to reinstate yourself as the "bad cop" and watch your kids' behavior improve.

Tired of ragging and nagging?

Lisa Steinke — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:00:00 -0700

You can hear yourself -- you know you sound like a broken record, like Charlie Brown's teacher. But you're frustrated. You've asked them how many times to brush their teeth now? If you're tired of ragging on and nagging your kids, read on for experts' tips on how to get your kids to not only hear you, but to listen.

I can’t say “no” to him…

Maria Mora — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:00:00 -0700

The parent of a child with special needs faces challenge after challenge, and unique ones at that. It can be tempting to slack on discipline when stressed and confronted with challenges. Learn how to avoid this parenting pitfall while maintaining compassion and gentleness.

Non-punitive parenting: Could it work for your family?

Amy Vowles — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:00:00 -0700

Non-punitive parenting is a parenting movement that seeks to raise children without any form of punishment: no spanking, no time outs, no yelling. At first glance it may seem like a way of raising out-of-control kids, but parents who practice it claim that it develops well-behaved children and establishes a strong relationship between Parent and Child.

Parenting Guru: Getting kids to listen

Julie Weingarden Dubin — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 08:00:00 -0700

If you tend to get stuck using the same script with your kids after having the same argument, while getting the same frustrating results, it may be time to switch things up. Meredith Wait, a mom of two boys ages 7 and 4, gives seminars and in-home therapy to families looking for ways to get young kids to listen.

Dad forces sons to drink alcohol

Monica Beyer — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 19:00:00 -0700

An Arizona dad is feeling the heat after he forced his teen sons to drink liquor after he busted them sneaking into his stash. Is this sort of punishment cruel, or is this what kids need today to stay on the straight and narrow?

A teacher's right to spank

Tracee M. Herbaugh — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:00:00 -0700

Grandpa may have told you stories about a notorious teacher slapping a ruler across the wrists of naughty children. This may seem like an anachronism, but corporal punishment is still legal — and happens — in the school districts of 19 states. Find out if your child could be reprimanded in this fashion.

Parenting Guru: Raising grateful kids

Julie Weingarden Dubin — Tue, 08 May 2012 08:00:00 -0700

The most well-adjusted children come from homes where there is a balance of love and discipline, says Sheri Moskowitz Noga, M.A., a psychotherapist in Royal Oak, Michigan, and author of Have the Guts to Do it Right: Raising Grateful and Responsible Children in an Era of Indulgence. The least well-adjusted kids come from homes that are overly-indulgent, says the mother of two who felt compelled to write her book because of the escalation in depression, anxiety, and narcissism she’s seen in children in the last decade. Noga shares her gutsy advice with SheKnows.

Parenting Guru: Is it wrong to punish kids?

Julie Weingarden Dubin — Tue, 01 May 2012 08:00:00 -0700

Amy McCready, founder of Positive Parenting Solutions and the author of If I Have to Tell You One More Time... The Revolutionary Program That Gets Your Kids to Listen Without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling, says many parents today confuse discipline with punishment. Positive Discipline educators refer to “punishment” as anything that would inflict blame, shame or pain on the child. It’s usually intended to make the child comply out of fear or to “pay” for a poor choice and it usually doesn't work long-term because it lacks the most important component of changing behavior—training. Discipline, however, is a much more positive, effective, way of responding to misbehavior. By disciplining our children with relevant consequences and accountability, we ensure they won’t want to repeat their misbehavior—because we’ve allowed them to learn from it, and not because we’ve scared the daylights out of them, she says.

My 1-year-old is a PITA

Elizabeth Weiss McGolerick — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:00 -0700

Your baby has suddenly become a toddler with a personality and opinions — very vocal and aggressive opinions. Here are five ways to effectively discipline your 1-year-old without feeling like you're, well, putting baby in the corner.

I let my kids curse. Yes, I (*@$&%) do!

Jen Klein — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:00 -0700

You’ve cursed in front of your child. Not intentionally, but you called out a name in vain after hitting your thumb with a hammer, or when you were so angry nothing else fit. Congratulations! You taught your child to curse -- in context. Don’t be surprised when your daughter lets loose. Seriously, don’t be surprised. Or horrified. Or react.

Kentucky school reportedly puts autistic boy in duffel bag

Monica Beyer — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:00:00 -0800

A school is accused of putting a 9-year-old boy who has autism into a duffel bag as punishment. An online petition calling for the dismissal of those responsible collected over 10,000 signatures within the first 24 hours. Did the school have the right to discipline the boy in this manner, and what action should the school district take to correct the situation? Read on!

South Carolina teacher spanks students

Monica Beyer — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:32:00 -0800

A South Carolina teacher has been accused of spanking a child in school. Besides violating school district laws, this case brings a bigger question to light: Does corporal punishment belong in the classroom? And really, does it belong in a child's life at all?

How to retrain your child after visiting grandparents

Michelle Maffei — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:04:00 -0700

When you get your kids back from a visit with grandma and grandpa, do you really have to live with the spoiled little grandchildren they've become? Take heart; there's no need to give up that valuable babysitting resource just yet. Before you swear off future visits between children and grandparents, discover five tips on how to retrain your child after visiting grandparents.

When not to use humor with your child

Jen Klein — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:15:00 -0700

You’re a fun mom, a funny mom, a silly mom with an infectious laugh. You are expert at using humor to diffuse tense situations with your kids and create a happy home. You have worked hard to help your children develop a good sense of humor, a tool that will help them in life. But guess what? There are times when humor is not appropriate. There are times when you should most definitely not use humor in your parenting.