By on January 16, 2011 in When I think about all of the phrases, anecdotes, and sayings about the power of the spoken word I am reminded of how I changed my way of communicating with children upon learning Play Therapy principles. I realize that using Play Therapy based language is a learned and practiced skill that requires time and effort, so I thought it would be helpful to share ten commonly used phrases parents say to their kids. I will also give the Play Therapy based alternative with a short explanation of why it is more effective.

No (running, hitting, yelling, fill in the verb)! Kids hear the word “no” far too frequently (Read more about that ). You can always rephrase the sentence from a negative to a positive, which will correct the behavior without sounding critical. Train yourself to say what you want them to do instead of what you don’t. So, you can say “Walk, please” instead of “No running”.

I have spent a good deal of time on articles on the difference between, and this phrase is arguably the most commonly spoken praise children hear. Train yourself to respond with “You did it!” or “You got it!” or “You figured it out!”.

Hotwapi.Com is a mobile toplist for mobile web sites. We have over 2000 registered sites.

Notice the common element is starting with the word “you” and then acknowledging what they worked at, rather than what you think about it. Don’t argue with me. Children are programmed to question, analyze and wonder about situations. This can sometimes present itself in an argumentative manner, but this is actually a normal part of development. Instead of cutting off the conversation, you can say, “I know you want my answer to be different, but it will not change”. You can also train yourself to make sure the child fully understands your response, with “I just told you my answer. Do you have a question about it?” This allows the child to present their opinion or get clarification.

Either way, the child is allowed to express their thoughts or concerns and feel validated without an argument. Wait until your Dad/Mom/other person finds out about this. This does two things. First, it creates anxiety and fear in the child, especially of the person who you are going to tell about whatever happened.

Second, it ignores your responsibility to deal with the issue at hand and passes it to someone else. By the time a child has gotten in trouble for something, they already feel guilty, sorry and embarrassed about it. Threatening to tell someone else rubs salt in the wound. Choose whether the other person really needs to know about the issue, and if yes, let the child decide who will tell them. “Do you choose to tell (Mom) what happened, or choose for me to tell her with you there to make sure that I explain it correctly?” This gives the child respect and responsibility for their actions.

If you do that one more time I can’t tell you the number of times I hear that phrase when around other parents, even though it is highly ineffective. First, you are threatening a child, which makes them fearful of you. Second, the threat is usually not something that is feasible to do (we are going home, you are going straight to bed, you don’t get dinner, you are grounded for a week, etc.) What we say in frustration is not only impractical but easily forgettable.

Then we contradict our credibility. You can train yourself to be clear and concise, using choices. “If you choose to (continue that behavior), you choose to (receive whatever consequence has already been established as a punishment)”. You might say, “Erin, if you choose to poke your sister again, you choose to not watch TV for the rest of the day”. This clearly communicates the expectation and the consequence, without a threat. You are doing that the wrong way. Parents tend to want control all of the time, and it takes work to allow kids to have freedom to do what they choose.

Of course, there will be times when a task must be completed in a certain fashion (homework, etc.). However, many times we force kids to do something the “right way”, when it could have been done in several ways. Manually Uninstall Gfi Endpoint Security Agent. If a child is coloring the grass purple, it is easy to tell them it must be green. A kid can sit down on a chair facing the back, and we make them turn around. Train yourself to acknowledge their behavior without a judgment, such as “You chose to sit the other way on the chair” or “You colored the grass purple instead”. This gives them the freedom to be creative and discover things without expectations. That is what happens when you We often try to teach lesson to kids about life at the most inappropriate times.

If a child gets hurt because they were doing something dangerous or inappropriate, they already learned their lesson. It is wasted words to try to express a rule when a child is upset, as they focus on one thing at a time.

Instead, train yourself to say, “You realized that you jumped off the chair and got hurt when you landed on the ground”, rather than, “See, that is what happens when you jump off the chair”. The former acknowledges that the child already figured out the problem, but is still comforting.

You can’t/Don’t do that. When redirecting behavior, it is difficult to know how to phrase things in the best manner. Telling a child that they can’t do something makes them prove that they can, by telling you or showing you that it is in fact possible.

Telling a kid to not do something makes them want to argue or rebel. Train yourself to explain the reason behind your statement. “That is not safe” or “Your skin is not for coloring on” is specific and helps them learn why things are off limits, rather than just that they are. We are (whatever the child doesn’t want to do at that moment), OKAY? In an attempt to be kind and loving to children, parents tend to ask kids for their approval. I understand the rationale behind it, but I believe it becomes a habit when trying to convince a child to comply. Parents will often say, “We are leaving the playground now and we’ll come back again, okay?” The reality is that asking your child if it is okay sets you up for an argument when the child says no.

You already know that he doesn’t want to leave, or you wouldn’t be negotiating with him. Train yourself to state things in sentence form, while. “Kevin, I know you want to stay and play, but it is time to go. We can come back another day”. This helps the child feel understood, but still communicates that leaving is non-negotiable. You are making me really mad right now.

When I was a child and fought with my younger brother, I would complain to my mom that he made me mad about something. She would (and still does) respond with “No one can make you feel anything. You choose to get mad.” At the time, I hated that phrase. However, it is very true.

Parents tend to let their children control their emotions, when it is the parent who is ultimately responsible for how they feel. It is also important for kids to understand that they choose what they feel, and they are not creating emotions in you. Train yourself to say, “I need a break right now because I am getting upset” or “I am angry right now”. You can communicate your feelings to your children without placing the burden of cause on them.

Retraining your way of speaking will take time and energy, but can be done. I would encourage you to do it one step at a time, and feel proud when you hear yourself respond differently.

It will not happen overnight, as I liken it to learning a new language, but it can happen with practice! Please share this post. #1 – my mother always said, “Don’t say ‘no’ when you can say ‘yes.’ “Yes, you can have some ice cream after dinner” instead of “No, you can’t have ice cream.” One of my favorite learning styles educators, Cynthia Ulrich Tobias, says that with *strong-willed* children it’s not really a negotiation to add an “okay?” to the end of a command. (#9) Rather, it’s bypassing the overriding nature of the battle of wills in a friendlier way.

The tone of your voice lets them know you’re not flexing; the “okay?” tacked on the end lets them know that they have a choice (with consequences, of course, as in #5). One of the worst things I’ve seen parents do to young children having fun is not giving them warning. It doesn’t matter if you add an “okay” on the end or not – to suddenly say “We’re leaving the playground” is devastating to them. “We’re leaving the playground in 10 minutes” or “Ten more trips down the slide and then we need to go” is much easier for them to adapt to. Wow, and your first sentence is why children in America are obese. Why say no if you could say yes?

How about because you are wiser than they are and know giving them ice cream every night when they ask is setting them up to have health/weight issues! It is ok to nicely tell your child “Not tonight.

You had ice cream last night. Here’s an orange.” Or how about your child asking you if they can ride their bike alone to their friend’s house? Why say no when you can say yes? Because it’s dangerous and they could be hurt by someone and you’d never know. It seems as if most of the people on here think that giving kids everything they want and coddling them will somehow make them better. No, it doesn’t. You spare their feelings but you’re setting yourself up to be one of those parents who is forced to explain every decision you make and for your kids to know that you will.

Have fun with that when they get to be teenagers and you’re having to explain yourself to them. YOU are the parent!

Stop ruining your children. She didn’t say that the child could have ice cream every night. It has nothing to do with obesity, anyway. We had some kind of dessert every night when I was growing up. It came after a well-balanced dinner of reasonably-sized portions. The desserts were also reasonably portioned and not over-elaborate. It might be as simple as jello with sliced bananas and a spoonful of whipped cream.

No one in my household grew up to be obese, because of desserts. Of course, meals were home-cooked and we rarely ate out. Oh jeeze, way to blow her comment out of proportion. This article has suggestions to get your young kids to think critically about their actions while still remaining the authority and following through on decisions, finding different ways of navigating around negativity in parenting. That way when they get to be teenagers they can think “Yeah if I make that bad decision, I understand something bad will happen to me.” and then choose not to. My husband’s mother consistently used the word “choose” while raising him. “if you choose to do x, then you choose to spend the rest of the night in your room” instead of “Stop that now” or “No you don’t”.

I’ve known him my whole life. He is an empathetic, intelligent and disciplined adult that refrained from making the same mistakes as other teenagers and pushed back against peer pressure.

You even say yourself giving your kid an option of an orange is better than just saying no. To Katie’s comment “Wow, and your first sentence is why children in America are obese. Why say no if you could say yes? How about because you are wiser than they are and know giving them ice cream every night when they ask is setting them up to have health/weight issues!

It is ok to nicely tell your child “Not tonight. You had ice cream last night.

Here’s an orange.” She either needs a serious prescription glass or just filled her head with too much ice cream. Oh wait was it Michelle( FLOTUS) that leave that comment.

Thanks for the laugh Katie or Michelle whoever you are. Love my ice cream and no I am not obese nor my children’s. I appreciate this article. I think that she makes excellent, educated points.

I am an educator and have read many books agreeing with them. Frankly, I am disappointed by the negative responses since we always have room to improve as parents.

Saying good job creates children who do good things for approval, rather for their own gain and improvement. You are passing judgement on their work. Telling a child why something isn’t okay rather than saying no, helps children understand why the behavior needs to be stopped and prevents it from happening again. Understanding these points doesn’t weaken children, it strengthens them and helps them become independent thinkers and well-behaved children.

There is nothing wrong with becoming a more informed parent. These “rules” are telling parents it’s ok to baby their children. If a child doesn’t learn how to control themselves and follow rules when they’re younger then they’ll have a hard time when they move out, get a job, and try to start a life. If you coddle them and constantly have to build there confidence up they’ll expect others to do the same.

If they don’t learn to take responsibility and don’t get told “no” they’ll expect handouts and won’t work for what they want. We’re being too soft on children these days. The article gives clear examples and reasons as to why these things aren’t appropriate ways to handle a child’s behavior. The simple fact of the matter is parenting has a goal. As you’ve demonstrated that goal is to raise a respectful child, among other things.

The point of the article is to point out that these 10 phrases are simply inefficient for achieving that goal. A child needs to know when they have upset you.

Yes, this is true. But when you saying “YOU are making me angry right now.” You aren’t teaching the child the difference between correct and incorrect behavior. You are teaching them that there is something wrong with them. That they make you angry. Saying, “When you do that it makes me angry” helps focus the negativity on the action that you don’t like rather than your child. These parenting tips do prepare your child for the real world.

What doesn’t prepare you child is destroying their self-esteem and not communicating to them clearly. I don’t see why this is rocket science: if you communicate more clearly with your kids then your kids will understand you better and that will better enable them to behave desirably. They will also know how to communicate their feelings and wishes more effectively. And i truly believe that if a person has those skills, that helps with relationships with friends, parents, relatives, siblings, and in the future, bosses, co workers, clients, husbands, wives, future kids ect. I was not so lucky and my parents did everything that this article says not to do, and I will say i do my best not to repeat those mistakes with my kids. Because i have virtually no self esteem, i am scared of people in general, and am constantly fearful of disappointing everyone or not doing anything to good enough standards. I constantly hear my parents in my head telling me I ruined this or I made them mad, or I was a mess up in one way or another and usually multiple ways daily.

Now i strive for perfection and often find myself extremely upset because i can not be perfect. This is directly related to how my parents taught me to express myself, how i was taught that everything i do is wrong if it is not the best option for my parents and siblings ect. I know that its not all their fault, and my parents were good parents, but people need to realize that their words effect people, even their children. And it truly does shape their self perception. You can most definitely teach respect without using the negativity in common parenting phrases. Saying, “Don’t do that” doesn’t teach your child why they shouldn’t do it.

It’s simply more effective to tell them why they shouldn’t do it. My mother used to say to me, “Don’t climb that tree it makes me nervous.” I would never listen, I would just keep climbing the tree. Climbing the tree was fun, why should I stop? If she had said, “You could hurt yourself climbing that tree.” I would have understood not only why it made her nervous but why it should make me nervous. And if that didn’t work she could have said, “If you choose to keep climbing that tree then you choose to not play outside anymore.” And then if I kept doing she could pull me down and drag me inside. You don’t have to be mean to your child to be assertive. I have to correct you on that one.

Most kids know already when and why they shouldn’t do something; they just don’t care to follow the rules because they want to do that thing. It is more than acceptable to say “Stop/No/Don’t do that. You are going to hurt yourself/you are going to break that.” As a parent, YOU are the authority. Your kids need to know that they have to listen to you.

While I agree that you shouldn’t just say “Don’t do that,” pairing it with a reason is okay. If they get used to hearing no with a reason, you should be able to just say no and your child will think “when she says no it usually means something bad could happen”. I don’t believe in giving 3rd and 4th chances either. My kid needs to know, when I say to stop it means stop now! If your child is used to you always giving a long explanation, they will not respond to a one word prompt. When you give a reason 100% of the time, you are teaching your child that they don’t have to listen to you (even if you say no) if you don’t give a reason. Think about this: You’re walking out of a store and your child is excited and starts to dart across the way to the car, not seeing the car flying up to him.

You have two choices. Quickly yell “STOP!” or calmly say “If you choose to run into the road, you choose to get hit by a car”.

If your child isn’t accustomed to hearing things like No or Stop, they are going to get hit. Where as when I was a child I listened to my parents regardless of if they gave an explanation because I had already figured out there was a reason when they told me no. I don’t understand how some feel that this article encourages “babying” or coddling of children.

For one, kids DO need some coddling sometimes. And for two, boundaries are still being set, they are only being worded differently to become more effective. The author never stated that you shouldn’t tell your kids no, only that you should try going about it differently. To the naysayers, try it out on your own kids. Put it to the test. See what happens.

If it doesn’t work for you, then criticize these tips to your heart’s content. Whenever I take an extra moment to explain why my children can’t do something, they are much more compliant with the situation.

Telling them simply, “No don’t do that,” only ends up with me repeating it several more times, getting frustrated, and in many cases, becoming angry. And as much as some of you are disagreeing on the bit about “good job,” try telling your child what THEY themselves specifically did that was awesome instead and watch their faces light up.

It’s not bad to just say good job I don’t think, but taking that extra time to make them feel special does great things for their self esteem. But then again, we don’t want to raise more spoiled, coddled children now, do we? The whole point of this article is to promote clearer communication between parents and their children. Which will in turn allow children to learn clear communication and respect as well.

Yes, that’s a problem, but guess what? The article pointed out simple, effective, kind ways to allow children to understand how consequences work. If you say “you can choose to sit politely at the dinner table, or you can choose to go to your room,” it’s then up to the parents to follow-through. The technique is effective if the parents stick to it.

You may have to drag your kicking and screaming child to their bedroom after they throw their peas, but you can do it calmly and without flying into a rage AND without just giving in. Parental follow-through–authority, you might say–is the key to the success of these suggestions (which is, I might add, all they are–suggestions). Thank you, Jude. I am an early preschool/special ed teacher and I agree that parents don’t know how to say ‘no’. Good example: One of my students last year was 2 years old and only ate chicken strips from Sonic every flippin day!

Why/ Because her mother allowed this. She thought her kid would starve if she didn’t go to Sonic because she “refused” to eat anything else. Come on, people! You don’t need to “run” your kids like Skye is suggesting, but you need to have authority and I completely agree that the role of parents is to guide and teach them – not to bend to their every wish.

I am amazed at all of the negative comments here. This isn’t just her personal beliefs, there is a ton of research that proves that this way of talking to children is just more effective.

These guidelines are not necessarily the difference between good parents and bad, but they are the difference between MORE EFFECTIVE parenting and not. Nothing in these suggestions leads a child to disobey you or disrespect others. In fact, I believe it teaches the exact opposite.

By taking responsibility for our own feelings as adults teaches our children to do the same. My child disobeying me should not “make me angry”. The behavior is simply unacceptable and me throwing my emotions into teaching that principle just makes her learn that one: it’s her fault when I get mad and two: When she gets mad it must be someone else’s fault.

Not to mention the obvious fact that the emotion will completely overshadow the lesson you are trying to teach. This is not why the kids of today are turning out so unprepared for the world. Lazy and prideful parents who think they know what they are doing and would rather yell instead of learning to discipline themselves to become more effective parents are the biggest problems that I see. Good parenting does not come naturally despite what people want to believe. If being a parent is more reactionary for you than thoughtful and deliberate, you are not being the parent you could be. My daughter was bullied relentlessly at the beginning of her first grade year. She would come home crying and devastated.

I would hug her and tell her how wonderful she was and that I was sorry she was hurting.BUT then, we would dissect each bullied moments of the day. I helped her learn to choose different behaviors: such as – when the boy stomped on your hand, instead of falling in heap on the floor and screaming (which is perfectly understandable) you need to stand up, look him straight in the eye and say with a firm, calm voice “you just stomped on my hand, don’t EVER do that to me again”.

That boy didn’t touch her again for the rest of the year. And to choose different thoughts: when the girls told her she was stupid or ugly, instead of crying hysterically or screaming bad names back at them, she had to tell herself right away that “they are wrong. I have all A’s. I can read chapter books. I know I’m smart,” or “whatever, I know I’m beautiful.

My mom did my hair really cute today.”.you get the idea. The second half of that year was completely different for her and now that she is in 4th grade there is a horrible girl bully in her class, I asked her if she was ever bullied – she smiled up at me and said “No, Angelic doesn’t dare bully anyone when I’m around.” Not only has she learned to not let others hurt her that aren’t worth it, she is the class protector. I completely understand what you are saying, I just thought I’d give a different perspective:) Tonya •. As an early childhood educator I can tell you that almost all of the things she has written about above are backed by research in child development, psychology, behaviour etc.

And if you want to know more about how punishment (i.e. Spanking) is detrimental to children’s development that I would recommend looking into Dr. Joan Durrant’s many publications on her research on physical punishment. There is a difference between punitive disciplinary style, and a positive guidance approach to child care and parenting and the latter has been proven to be much more effective, which is the main point that I think this article was meant to portray. Education is a great tool. If you have to tell someone you’re humble, you aren’t.

And spanking IS detrimental to psychological development. There has been TONS of research done over the last 60 years that makes this conclusive.

A little research goes a long way. Just because you were hit and “turned out fine” doesn’t mean millions of kids are as resilient as you. And refraining from hitting your children, doesn’t mean you are refraining from disciplining them. It means you’ve found better, more-effective, less-archaic, methods of parenting. I was raised using all the “negative words/phrases” and I stuck to them with my kids.

But I truly believe this positive way is much much better. I even do all the “wrong things” with my kids! But as time passed and I noticed saying no constantly and spankings were not working, I tried different approaches.

And guess what they are working much better! My kids listened to me and respectedwhat I had to say! All the parents who are saying this article is BS, are yelling at their kids and kids don’t listen/understand. It just makes perfect sense. Maybe the old-fashioned way is why we have behavior problems, self-esteem issues, and problems.

Think about it, really. Or at least try to learn why every educated person and scientific study supports this. The kind of parenting that has lead to disciplinary problems are parents who don’t care about their children. If you haven’t tried any of these techniques how can you say they have lead to problems? I see the difference in the way my kids respond to me when i use techniques like this. They are more willing to obey rather than being defiant and closed off.

If i spank my two year old he could careless about it, but if i gently explain (on his level of understanding) he complies. Its quite simple actually. True, but with strong willed children you have to put your foot down with a rod of iron, specially while they are still very young. When they are teenagers and you didn’t teach them the fear and love and respect of you while they’re young.you will have problems for sure! We are all teenagers once, a two yr old once and we push those limits one way or the other. Here’s why: Pro 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Today’s generation might be the smartest but is very weak morally because their parents withhold the rod of correction: Pro 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

This text means that you must correct the child with love, not when you’re angry. Because when you correct the child with a rod and you’re angry, your emotions can get mixed up and can hurt the child, which can turn into child abuse. This is why when you correct the child with a rod you must check yourself to not be on the angry side at all times. You must do this in love, this way they don’t turn out to be stupid and lazy when they’re teenagers and into their adulthood. I believed in early correction while they’re young so to steer their hearts correctly to the right direction.

Because when they hit that teenage years, they will question every thing and fight back: they think they know it all and wants respects, all the while, living as freeloaders in your house. I am merely not quoting the Bible. I stand with it, because it is the absolute TRUTH! The Words of God never Iied to any of us. I am also not in disagreement with the author. We have here two very sad considerations: – 1.

That corruption is woven into our nature. Sin is foolishness; it is contrary both to our right reason and to our true interest. It is in the heart; there is an inward inclination to sin, to speak and act foolishly. It is in the heart of children; they bring it into the world with them; it is what they were shapen and conceived in. It is not only found there, but it is bound there; it is annexed to the heart (so some); vicious dispositions cleave closely to the soul, are bound to it as the cion to the stock into which it is grafted, which quite alters the property.

There is a knot tied between the soul and sin, a true lover’s knot; they two became one flesh. It is true of ourselves, it is true of our children, whom we have begotten in our own likeness. Thou knowest this foolishness.

That correction is necessary to the cure of it. To some, it will not be got out by fair means and gentle methods; there must be strictness and severity, and that which will cause grief. Children need to be corrected, and kept under discipline, by their parents; and we all need to be corrected by our heavenly Father (Heb 12:6, Heb 12:7), and under the correction we must stroke down folly and kiss the rod.

I disagree Quinn you can’t catergorize all Christians in the same because I don’t hate gay people, like I would anyone human being because gays are individuals my decision on weather I like them or not is base on their individuality and I’m a Christian even if though I may feel their choice of living is not righteous who am I we all have our own cross to bear (carry) so I love my friends gay or not as a matter of fact they make and have a happy place in my life for being such honest beings mostly. If a Christian has the right to think, then share that thought out loud for everyone else to hear (or read), why isn’t Quinn, or anyone with non christian beliefs, like atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, or even Satan worshippers and witches not allowed the same right? Quinns comment was not hateful or even argumentative it was simply asking for examples of why the previous commenter believes her opinion is more valid than the professional who wrote the article we all just read. Yes, everyone has the right to free speech, no matter how incorrect or just plain silly the opinion, but people like you can’t call the ‘Free Speech Card’ everytime someone disagrees with one of your opinions by using the very same right to free speech that you value so much. Questioning or disagreeing with someone’s idea isn’t the same as attempting to take away that persons rights by silencing her. Being allowed to question instead of mindlessly follow without understanding is one of those great things we, as Americans, have the right to (just like that free speech you all love so much yet can’t fully grasp the concept of). If those things weren’t basic human rights in our country, the United states would be a far, far different place.

AnywayI apologize for my rant about our constitutional rights on the comment section of a parenting article but I felt like using my right to freedom of speech by letting you know that disagreement isn’t the same as “hating on” someone or trying to silence them. And because it is your right, you are absolutely allowed to share with me and the rest of the Internet how wrong or dumb or hateful you believe my opinions are! I would welcome it! Exchanging ideas, discussing differences in opinion and even arguing about beliefs are what lead us to opening our minds to let in thoughts we may not have had otherwise and great things can come from listening to what others have to say and learning from what others have to teach! The day you become complacent and close yourself off from the ideas of people who think differently than yourself is the day you stop growing.

Thanks for everyone’s comments on this thing, even the ones that I believe sound dumb and just plain cray-cray because I probably will learn something I didn’t previously know! Oh and I just need to say ithaven’t we realized that after all these years on this planet, generation after generation of procreation that there isn’t only one single correct way of raising children? No one knows what is best for your child more than you because, biological or otherwise, you are that childs mother and you don’t have to allow anyone to tell you that your parenting strategy is bad or wrong! Good luck, Mom’s and Dad’s, parenting can be a bitch sometimes!

Thanks for the Wiki article! Godwin’s law applies when a conversation is taken off-topic with a Hitler reference. In this case, “Muslims” were mentioned by another poster in being allowed to free-think and “speak their minds” as Christians do. The purpose of my statement was to prove that Muslims do this all the time, often in the form of bombings and beheadings and severe hate propoganda. Yet, everyone screams “peaceful Muslims” and hesitates to talk bad about them.

But everyone goes for the throats of the Christians when 99% of the time all Christians do is voice their opinion through speech or peaceful protests (notice how I left 1% for those rare idiots). Most peaceful Muslims (mostly non-Arabs) are peaceful because they haven’t read the Qur’an in a language they understand. They are only required to read it in Arabic and call it a day. I’ve read all 114 Surahs and let me tell you, you’re in for a surprise.

Let the Christians speak. Let the atheists speak. But don’t for one instance think that animals should be allowed the same open forum as the rest of us. Those laws don’t apply to Christians because of Christ and his forgiveness offered to the world if they receive it. Proverbs has a lot of good in it, things experts if they are lucky sometimes figure out in their lifetime.

The rod spoken of is simply the rod of discipline (with discipline being the rod not specifically of a rod but simply correction) and it comes through love, as it also says do not discipline in anger. That is why so many are abused is because the parents are angry, unresolved issues from their own past. I once heard an author say “You can’t love your children until you have forgiven your parents” I certainly saw the wisdom in that. Jesus is the best teacher of all but no it doesn’t hurt to have guidance from trained counselors, another Proverbs quote, “A wise man is he who listens to counsel.” The Bible also says ‘Death and Life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat the fruit there of” The Bible puts a lot of emphasis on the tongue and how it affects us and those around us, so with that I respect the author of this article for pointing out ways we can encourage children with our words. It is biblical. The Bible Pretty much clearly says no to murder. The ten commandments.

Pat, the Bible also says to love your enemy as you love your self. Would you love to stone your self Pat??? The Bible also says The Golden rule.

Do, unto others as you would want done unto you. You, should get a counselors opinion but don’t you think they will tell you that this is wrong. And, you will go to jail. Because, government rules are the basis of the circle of life, and rules are rules. Even, though someones clothes style makes you mad. It is better that you follow the circle of life the circle of rules. If it still upsetting go see a professional let someone with a degree handle the issue.

If they do not find anything wrong with it. Then, it will probably is something that will go away eventually. How does posting negative things help anyone? The bible has nothing to do with how we raise our children. I believe that a child should have a certain degree of fear towards their parent/s. Children do not have respect now a days. I had fear for my father when I was a child and I haven’t been to prison.

I’m not a bad person. I have respect for my peers. My parent wasn’t told to follow these step by step instructions (so to speak) on how to use (again, so to speak) your child. Its pathetic how figures of authority expect you to raise your child from a text book instead of actually raising them as a child with love and, yes, a bit of fear for their elders. I was raised with that “little bit of fear” and I was terrified of my father until the day he diedI was 47.

I loved him because he was my father, but I did not like him evernor did I respect him. As for the “rod” you discuss in your Bible quotes. The rod was the staff that a Shepard uses to guide their sheep. In other words we are to make sure we spend the time needed to guide our childrennot put fear in their hearts. There is a big difference between a child doing something out of respect for their parents or doing something out of fear; you can’t have both at the same time. I was a strong willed child and my parents used your method.

The outcome is that I divorced myself from my family long ago. No one that loves their child should put those type of memories or inner voice” in side their child’s head. Two feelings (fear and respect) are used here as interchangeable, where in fact they are very very different. I agree, that you should teach that your kids should have respect towards you (and towards other grownups). As a kid, you may not do things, because you are aware of the consequences. You “fear” the consequence, your parents will choose, but you should not fear your parents!

I loved my parents, was sometimes afraid of how I will be punished, when I did something wrong, but I never feared THEM. You ever think the reason they are strong willed is because your just as strong willed with your religion. You parents don’t understand the simplest of things. The things your children do are a direct reflection of your parenting style, your personality and you in general. To that little kid, you are everything. Literally everything.

The whole train a child up in the way he should go verse is a crock. You shouldn’t need to train your kid like a dog. You should just live as you do everyday and your child will see that and follow your lead. If you need a book to justify every right thing you do, that shows the child, in fact mom and dad must be pretty messed up to have to read out of a book to know whats right. Just know the right thing to do and do it parents, be confident that you are making the right decision in your parenting habits. Christianity is so popular because there are so many lost people in the world, but all you crazy christians take the bible too seriously. Instead of letting it be a guide you let it be a merciless iron ruler where if you mess up straight to hell.

If you question even the tiniest aspect of the bible or christianly.straight to hell. I would read this article above ten times a day if i was you. Because your little perfect christian family is going to go up in smoke when your child turns into an adult, sees the world he lives in, and realizes that you are full of it.

So those Christians who try to live by biblical principles are lazy and by having your children watch how you live is enough to raise a hard working, upstanding citizen, who admires the principles of charity, forgiveness, and morality. I am sorry if your upbringing was harsh. Discipline must be balanced with love. And biblical discipline is not create a robot as you put it, but allow for a framework in which a child can flourish. Children grow with firm boundaries within which they have freedom. As they age children are given more and more freedoms which hopefully leads to them leaving home with an entrenched sense of duty to oneself, job, friends and family, country, and Maker. Letting a child decide what is right or wrong or what they are willing to do makes about as much sense as a mother the other night asking her 7yo if he wanted his broken arm set in the ER.

The 7yo does not have the insight, knowledge, and understanding to know an unset fracture will likely produce permanent disability due to loss of range of motion, perhaps the need for a complex surgery to correct something which can be readily treated now without surgery, etc. He was scared and most scared of the anticipated pain he would endure. Once he was given a sedative and the fracture set, and a cast applied and he awoke his pain was better, his anxieties relieved, and the the right thing was done. Yet it took multiple conversations with the mother to make her realize the 7yo was not in charge, she was and she as an adult knew what was best for her child.

This is the era we live in. I am sure the mother wanted what she initially thought was right for her child, but without expert guidance the outcome would have been very poor at best. I need input from others to make sure I am grounded in my thinking, my compass on what is right and wrong, and when I go astray from my compass a gently nudging to make things right. That is what God’s word and a relationship with others does for me.

I agree unless grace lead discipline is not balanced with love, compassion, laughter, and a deepened relationship all the child sees is an overbearing hypocritical parent and God. Mostly I think you are really, really wrong.

In my family we tell the children “no hitting, no kicking, no punching, no screaming, no scratching, no fish hooking and no biting” every time it seems the cousins or siblings are about to get out of hand, it works like a charm because they are reminded what is expected of them. All people, children and adults alike, like to be praised. It makes you feel good and want to keep trying. Encouragement is just another word for praise. There is a massive difference between arguing and questioning/analyzing. I think that’s pretty much ’nuff said but for the sake of example parent: “You are being rude and disrespectful, because of that you are getting sent to your room” kid: “why should I have to?

Why should I listen to you?” vs. Parent: “go to your room!” kid: “why?

Why do I have to?” NOT the same thing! Agreed, never show your children that you are too weak to teach/raise/discipline them. Provide a doable and reasonable consequence and follow through and this “threat” is all good! Agreed, that’s a bit rude. I think it’s obvious that if your child is super upset this message won’t get through so wait until things have calmed down and then express “did you notice what happened when you did_____”. Depends on how you word it. “you can’t colour on yourself without Mama making you take a bath right away to wash that all off” shows the futility of the situation should they do it again, colouring on oneself = have the fun interrupted to take a bath.

Agreed, don’t ask questions that you might not want the answer too, this applies to all relationships. Semi-agreed, behaviour can make a person feel a certain way and since we are all responsible for our own behaviour then one would be lead to believe that we can affect each others emotions (if we are 100% responsible for how we feel then explain how bullying works to me please!) but it can be better addressed. “Your fillintheblankbehaviour is really frustrating me right now, I need you to either stop this behaviour or go do it elsewhere (why would I have to leave if I’m not the one misbehaving) and come back when you are ready to behave in a way that is acceptable to our house rules”.

Now if I’m losing my patience just because I’m in a bad mood and my child’s behaviour is fine, then agreed, I should be the one to leave. I do not understand why people are taking this article so personally. This is not singling out any individual person, nor is it saying if you do not do these things, you are a bad parent. It’s is a post about other ways to speak to your children that COULD help your child better understand you. I this all these tips are wonderful and am going to get better about re-phrasing some of the things I say to my son. No where in this article does it tell parents to let their children run around, doing as they please.

It also never tells you to ask your child for permission, because let’s be honest, you are the parent and will do what you need to do or what your feel is best. But instead of telling your child “NO! STOP RUNNING!”, you can say, “we walk when we are in the house”. This article also never says that you cannot say these things, and being human, there will be times when we all say things that we probably shouldn’t to our child, but these guidelines are useful when it comes to speaking to your child on a daily basis. Today’s society makes parents look like idiots, already. We grew up respecting our parents because they gave us boundaries and consequences when we passed those boundaries. We raised our children the same way.

Not long ago my oldest (now 26) thanked me for the way I raised him. He had witnessed several parents whose way of making their children behave was to hand them a smart phone with games or a movie on it.

There were no “time outs” in our family. Each child responded differently to discipline. When a look worked on one, taking away a privilege worked on the other.

AND none of them ever whined because they got a spanking when it was needed! Mainly because they knew the consequence of their actions. Today’s parents need to learn how to be parents instead of trying to make up for not being at home with their children by giving them everything they want to keep them “friends” with them. YOU ARE NOT YOUR CHILD’S FRIEND! Be the parent they want and need. They’ll thank you some day.

I most certainly don’t thank my parents for spanking me. And respect is earned, it isn’t demanded.

A child who is respected from birth, will respect. It’s literally impossible for a child to equate a spanking with being respected. When my parents spanked me, it wasn’t because the were trying to teach me a valuable lesson (aside from, “you angered me and I’m bigger than you, you I’m going to hit you”) they were trying to control me–control me absolutely. But, perhaps parents like you enjoy seeing your children in therapy? My mom sure doesn’t.

Breaks her heart to know how much she’s damaged me and my siblings. Respect IS earned. Parents gain respect when a child sees them treat others fairly. Does you child respect you when they see you say to little Susie when she takes something that does not belong to her and mom says “Susie, you shouldn’t have done that” and do nothing. Or do they respect you when you make Susie return the item, apologize, and then discipline Susie? I am not implying abuse!

Spanking was never intended to be abuse and it should NEVER be done when angry! There is a difference between spanking and beating!

I realize that many who have been abused, beaten, and treated poorly by their parents will not agree (and I don’t agree with abuse). I work with children who appreciate being given boundaries by responsible adults and have returned as adults to thank us for caring enough to discipline them when needed. YES, EVEN THOSE WHO WERE SPANKED/PADDLED. They remembered why they were disciplined and avoided making the same mistake again.

Read your Old Testament. No one ever appreciates being disciplined at the moment, but realizes later in life how they might have turned out if they had not been disciplined by their parents.

Why do you think there are so many criminals in the system today? Because no one ever punished them for their misdeeds as children and they continue to commit those deeds over and over. We need more parents who are committed to being parents. Even if it means one parent is a stay-at-home parent. You can see they difference between stable homes where discipline is applied and homes where mom & dad give the child everything they want. I could go on.but we need to return our country to a God fearing nation using God’s word as our guide. That starts with our homes, something that today’s society has torn apart piece by piece, until we accept it as normal.

I don’t intend to argue to point. I have seen the difference in the lives of families who discipline. Raise your children God’s way, be the example for them to see and you’re right, you won’t have to discipline as much, but when it is needed, do so and make sure the discipline fits. Don’t go overboard.

But SPANKING NEVER KILLED ANYONE. ACTUALLY, 90% of violent criminals in prisons were spanked as children. And ALL forms of hitting are abusive because it isn’t bodily respect. I’m not saying not to discipline, but hitting isn’t discipline, it’s a show of power. And I don’t know a single parent either my parent’s age or my age who spank their kids when they are/were calm. Every single one I know is angry, has an angry face, and is often yelling at the time.

Even if they’ve had time to “cool down”. They still go to their kids and say, “You’re getting a spanking” really angrily and scary because they know the kids are going to fight them on it. Not saying they are bad parents, but hitting is a reaction to anger and frustration or annoyance. Parents who aren’t angry when they discipline, don’t feel the need to hit their children as discipline or otherwise. Spanking is a knee-jerk, immediate reaction to undesired behavior, not a thought-out punishment, nor a natural consequence.

(If you get in trouble at work, your boss doesn’t spank you. If you get in trouble with the law, the police don’t break our a paddle or a belt).

It’s lashing out. I was spanked for EVERYTHING as a kid. EVERYTHING was a hittable offense. You didn’t clean your room, that’s a spanking. You yelled at mom, that’s a spanking. You got in trouble at school, that’s a belting.

You talked back, that’s a slap in the mouth and then a spanking with a METAL FLY SWATTER. All those “spankings” were not considered “abusive” by anyone in my family nor anyone in the community. Only once I started spending a fortune on therapy did my parents discover that they were child abusers because they were of the belief that they were doing the right thing by me and my siblings. Not spanking does not mean you don’t discipline, by the way. Where did you get that idea? Super Mario Brothers X Free Download. I know people who were never spanked as children and they don’t lack discipline or drive.

They aren’t disrespectful adults. Quite the opposite, in fact. Yes, there are definitely parents who give their children everything and let them get away with everything and I don’t agree with that at all either. But hitting isn’t the answer.

And it isn’t effective long-term. You know, I can’t even tell you WHAT I was spanked for as a child.

Not a single reason. And I was spanked well into my teens. I only remember mom or dad being really mad and me being hit and sent away, unworthy of affection.

How is that discipline? I DO, however, remember that when I had issues with a teacher at school and got into a mild amount of trouble and my mom talked through it with me and I lost a few privileges. That’s TRUE discipline right there. If the child learns nothing but “I shouldn’t do that because mom or dad got mad and hit me,” the discipline is wholly ineffective. Discipline, like everything in life, should always be a learning experience. As for the bible, that’s hogwash.

That whole “spare the rod” thing is a metaphor. Not to be taken literally. A rod was a colloquialism of the times that referred to the staff used by shepherds. It was used to steer and lead a flock in the right direction. It was NEVER used to hit the sheep.

You need some more understanding of literature in order to interpret your bible, it seems. In my case, God doesn’t exist. Otherwise, he would have “taught” my parents the difference between real discipline, real interaction with their children, rather than abusive control and power over their children. The fact of the matter is, children who feel cared for and loved EVERY SINGLE DAY do not act out in public, children who feel listened to and respected, do not disrespect. Spanking is not needed with children who are treated as such.

If you come to the point of spanking, you’ve messed up somewhere along the line as a parent. If you EVER feel the need to hit your child, YOU need to take a timeout and reevaluate your emotions and reactions. Maybe I didn’t die physically from my “spankings” as a child, but emotionally, I died a little more each time I received one to the point that I’m detached emotionally from my parents. I have problems with relationships.

It takes a long time for me to trust anyone, much less implicitly. And I most certainly don’t trust my parents at all anymore.

Maybe with trivial things, but not emotions or feelings or intimate issues. I haven’t even included them in medical issues that I have.

I wouldn’t want to burden them, as I was obviously so burdensome to them as a child that I wasn’t worthy of being raised with love and care, but with power and control. I resent them and even question my love for them from time to time. It just took my mother telling me she knew I was unhappy as a child for her to realize she’d made a grave mistake in her “disciplining”. And, I assure you, she didn’t thank God for that either.

So sorry about your childhood. And YES, your parents went to the extremes! Punishment should fit the deed done. And just the same reward should fit the deed!

So very sorry that you don’t agree with the Bible. The same God who disciplined His children also rewarded them. And my children were loved immensely and knew they were loved even though they were disciplined according to what they had done. Discipline includes talking, taking away privileges, and spanking when needed. NOT ALL THE TIME!

It serves the purpose. Again, I am so sorry for the way you were treated by your parents.

That isn’t parenting, that is mental abuse. Please don’t close your heart to God.

Read with understanding cover to cover. Im not usually one to agree with things like this, i feel like society is way too sensitive about everything but i remember when taking a simple psychology class in high school and covering our milestones as we grow up that things we say to our children really does have an impact on them and how they learn. I always told myself that i would never say no to my child, i didnt it want to be his first word and really from hearing it so often is begins to mean nothing. Same things goes when training puppies.

My husband on the other hand started to use it when he cam back from deployment and next thing we know he’s yelling no to everything my husband asks him to do and wouldn’t correct whatever action my husband was asking for. So i would really say that this has a point in a lot of ways. What age bracket would this be for? I have an 18 month old that is not truly talking yet, but needs boundaries. He was headed straight for the burning wood stove, and I intervened, took his little hand and said in a firm tone. Hot!” I am pretty certain that saying “My darling Kip, I would much rather you not be curious about the fire.

Why don’t you play with these blocks instead?” would not have taught him that the fire is hot, and he is NOT to touch! No matter how curious he may be. The word ‘no’ is not a bad word. Children do not crumble when they hear it at the right, appropriate times. I guess it is more about the ‘no’ without an explanation. Absolutely by far the best tips I have read in a very long time.

I am a mother of 4 ages 18 to 5. I discipline my kids, I even spank themI know dont fall over, I am by far a liberal parent. This has nothing to do with consequences, in fact she encourages it.

It makes the children choose whether they will behave or notit puts the ball in their court but on their level it makes them the bad guy not the parent. I am, in using this method being a reinforcer. Yelling, screaming and empty threats are not discipline they are words of ignorance either choose to try and solve behavior issues this way or keep doing what clearly doesnt work. I mean the way I see it is, this way they think about what they are doing and make a choice, the other way they are not allowed a chance to choose good or bad and do not learn what they need to be a good choice making adult.

Great article I loved it. #6 bothers me. When applied to coloring grass purple, it’s great.

It’s certainly a good thing to encourage creativity, and unless the child was specifically told to color things the proper colors or color by number as part of an assignment, purple grass isn’t hurting anything. However, when applied to sitting backward in a chair, it seems problematic. Sometimes, there are acceptable and unacceptable ways to do things for no easily explainable reason, and in many situations, it’s not socially acceptable to sit backward in a chair.

Teaching children propriety and social skills is not overparenting, it’s preparing them to live in the real world, where sometimes you have to do things a certain way because you were told to by authority, whether or not you know or agree with the reasoning behind the order, or because not doing them in that way would be considered rude or inappropriate by the majority of the society you live in. I think you gave a bright and new perception on these ten phrases. As the bible says we are to come with love and without temper your responses are just that.

Now if the child chooses to disobey after these responses then yes further action ought to be done. Thank you for addressing these ten phrases as I agree with you 100%.

Now how us parents all have different perceptions you aren’t going to make everyone agree but that’s just how it is. I must say that this does require us parents to also learn disciplin and not pop off with our words the old habit of things, but children are sponges and whatt we pour into them will come out. Again thank you for covering these topics. There are some really good points in this article that could be really useful for parents as part of a wider approach to parenting.

However, I think many people in the comments have correctly highlighted that this does not prepare children for the real world. Children need to learn to accept criticism, follow rules, accept responsibility for their actions etc. And coddling children like this is not helpful. For example, as a child I would first be told “Don’t run inside”, when I then asked ‘Why?” I would be told “You could fall or knock something over, that’s why you should walk.”, which actually helped me to think critically, think of consequences and importantly it taught me to accept instruction while still thinking independently about why I was being asked to act a certain way.

Give your children some credit and help them develop their own minds and independent self-worth, don’t treat them like emotionally fragile babies because the rest of the world certainly won’t! On a positive side I agree but you must still not withhold the rod of correction when needed to do so. But with strong willed children you have to put your foot down with a rod of iron, specially while they are still very young. When they are teenagers and you didn’t teach them the fear and love and respect of you while they’re young.you will have problems for sure! We are all teenagers once, a two yr old once and we push those limits one way or the otheryou can’t tell me you never tried to push the limits to your parents even once. Here’s why: Pro 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Today’s generation might be the smartest but is very weak morally because their parents withhold the rod of correction: Pro 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. This text means that you must correct the child with love, not when you’re angry. Because when you correct the child with a rod and you’re angry, your emotions can get mixed up and can hurt the child, which can turn into child abuse. This is why when you correct the child with a rod you must check yourself to not be on the angry side at all times. You must do this in love, this way they don’t turn out to be stupid and lazy when they’re teenagers and into their adulthood. I believed in early correction while they’re young so to steer their hearts correctly to the right direction.

Because when they hit that teenage years, they will question every thing and fight back: they think they know it all and wants respects, all the while, living as freeloaders in your house. Sort of agree, while I agree many kids are bratty and entitled these days the way my generation was spoken to didn’t do us any good. Many of us walk around with no confidence, aren’t assertive and not successful. Kids need boundaries but you can have those with destroying them. I think some kids are brats because they get too much stuff, never do any chores and are over entertained, chores give something real to give praise for and boredom helps build identity as you force a child into doing something independently of their parents, we are making little people who will leave home but why not speak to your kids with respect and explain your reasoning?

My daughter is very articulate and thoughtful because we talk things through. I totally agree with this article. My parents are very abusive. They think that being abusive and strict is going to help me to pick the “right” friends or keep me away from drugs. Instead of yelling and hitting and hating, teach them the harmful effects of drugs and what to find in a good friend.

I was taught that at a young age by my teachers and neighbors, so I know that I’m never going to take drugs. In fact I found the most perfect friends. We love each other and don’t judge.

Sadly my parents don’t let me be with my friends. I only see them during school. I try telling them that they’re being bad parents, but they can’t accept it and slap me. If only they were gentle with their words and didn’t hit me, I wouldn’t had been suicidal, depressed, and socially awkward.

So even the smallest things can affect a persons life(especially a child). God helped me get through all the struggles. So praise him! I heard about these tactics. They do work, but when does the kid actually hear the word “no”?

In my 13 years of teaching middle school, I have seen a change in both the student and the parent. Students come in thinking they have the power to change the lesson. They are welcome to share their ideas and opinions in a respectful manner, but often they complain: “I don’t want to _fill in every possible classroom activity______.” The parents are so child-centered. We had a teacher called into the principal’s office because a kid told their mom she was”mean”.

The parent called the principal and complained having never even met or spoken with the teacher. This happened to me because I gave a kid “a look”, again, parents have never met or spoken to me. There are times where kids just need to hear “no”.

Just came upon this discussion, quite too late, it seems, but I agree with Karen. I think the irresponsibility, me-now arrogance, and you owe me attitudes in today’s children is the result of “spock-like” coddling.

While it is true kids are people too, kids need to be trained to be civilized people. In the real world your child is not going to be rewarded for simply showing up and behaving in whatever manner pleases them. There are rules and manners they will be expected to adhere to whether they like them or not. My wife and I have been married going on seven years. She is my second wife my first died of an Asmatha attack.

I have a 16 & 9 year old from my first and a 5 year old from my second. Any time we argue my five year old goes hysterical begging us not to argue. I know we shouldn’t argue but what can I the Father do to help my daughter? My heart is broken for my kids.

• Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () • Pingback: () •. FYI: the idea of asking them to “make circles with your fists instead” is terrible advice. It just teaches them to punch more effectively.

I’ve got this one down pat: No one can make you feel anything. You choose to get mad.” it’s the otehr ones that i’ve a hard time remembering. For the people that argue against this try having co-parenting with a narcissist. My ex will not give our son any boundary, tells him he’s stupid, tells him he can’t do things, and worse.

Boundary make kids feel safe and in that someone I run to this blog when I need a reminder of what to say. Because when my son comes one he’s had nine days (Friday to Friday) not knowing what he can and can’t do, and his emotions stomped on, and being forced into gender role boxes. It takes most of the week just help him calm down, before it all starts again. So you go right a head and hurt your kids by being jerks. Have fun in the nursing home when you’re 60. Well, it is titled “10 Things NOT to say to your Kids” and that is pretty absolute.

My boyfriend broke up with me a week ago. We dated about 4 months.

I did everything for him whenever he needed help with something, I love him so much and cared about him a lot. I never asked anything from him. I have no kids and a good well paying job. Everything was so perfect and good between us. He told me he would take me ring shopping and we would settle down and have a baby together.

Everything was great. We met each other families and everyone told us we were perfect for each other. Out of nowhere he surprisingly left me to be with another girl, so i met a friend who gave me this email robinson.buckler @(yahoo. I have a hard time describing my thoughts on content. But I really felt I should here. Your article is really great.

I like the way you wrote this information. If you read the post more carefully, you’ll see it’s not about not getting upset, it’s about controlling your temper, words, and actions when you are upset so that your children can learn to do the same.

I am agree regarding the way of teaching.

UPDATED ON: Saturday, May 27, 2017 Here’s Crazy Taxi Classic APK+OBB Android Arcade Game Free Download. Please note if you have purchased Crazy Taxi Classic before, access an ad-free version in “My apps and games” in Google Play. Hey hey, come on over and have some fun with Crazy Taxi!

Barrel through traffic packed streets, hurdle off parking garages, and crazy combo your way to crazy money in a wild frantic race to scare up the most fares. In Crazy Taxi, time is money, and only the craziest cabbies come out victorious. Crazy Taxi Classic APK+MODs. LATEST/UPDATED VERSION.