Every parent is confident he or she knows exactly how to raise a child, in particular, when it comes to punishment. Confidence in parenting methods is usually based on personal experience (“I was raised this way”) or on the opposite (“I didn’t like it when I was put in a corner, so I won’t torture my children like that”).

To punish or not?

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The issue of punishment deserves more attention, since punishments may have a great effect on the formation of the child’s personality. What types of punishment to choose and should parents always be harsh on their child?

1. Give your child a right to make mistakes

Sometimes children do something wrong from their parents’ point of view. However, for them, it is the first experience and they simply don’t know what consequences may follow. Give them a second chance. Tell and show them what they can do and what they can’t. If you start with the punishment, then chances are, the child will grow into an indecisive adult, who will constantly seek somebody’s approval.

2. Don’t shout at the child

By starting to shout, first of all, parents show they can’t control their own emotions. If your child is emotionally unstable, in addition to making his or her life more difficult in that moment, your child may develop self-esteem issues in the future.

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3. Keep your promises

If you promised to punish a child for something bad, make sure you do it, so that the child forms the whole chain of actions. Although sometimes children are aware of their wrongdoing earlier and admit their mistakes. This behavior deserves praise.

4. Don’t scold your child in public

No need to shout so that the whole playground can hear how awful your child is. This humiliation will develop a dependence on public opinion and make the child angry with the parents, who step too unnecessarily far in the punishment.

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5. Do you look for the guilty one or not?

When it is difficult to determine the apparent culprit of mischief, then it is necessary to punish everyone involved (in reference to children of one family; this doesn’t apply to visiting friends). If, however, you single out and punish someone, then the unlucky kid can feel like a victim, while others may enjoy immunity and lawlessness.

We hope that you are all wise parents raising the children according to the principle of the golden mean. If you find yourself in a pickle over a child’s punishment, then remember these expert tips.

The material in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a certified specialist.