Child Discipline: A critical part of child development
Children are born with a self centered nature and will make choices that can hurt themselves and others. Some actions are just plain wrong and need correcting. Your kids may be high spirited, stubborn, or strong willed. Troubled kids may be defiant and rebellious, challenging authority.
In addition, children often show poor judgement when picking friends or making important decisions. There is immaturity and selfishness. When there is work to be done, the nature tendency is apathy and laziness. There are temptations all around that look very attractive. Peer pressure can blur the lines between right and wrong.
Parents need to realize that discipline is a necessary responsibility and that it should be done carefully and effectively. This is preparation for future adulthood.
Discipline can be a battle
Children don't naturally follow along with their parents best intentions. There is often confrontation. There may be a show contempt for a parents ideas or demands. Children question the need for rules and boundaries in their lives. Kids looks for ways to test the resolve of mom and dad.
This is all part of child discipline and growing up. Parents can not, however, do a half hearted job or hope that the problems just go away. Child discipline is a necessity. Parents need to stay strong.
As mentioned above, children will often take the wrong path, have poor attitudes, and mistreat those around them. I would like to think that my children are good, but their natural tendency is to be selfish and self-serving. Troublesome child behavior includes disrespect, disobedience, greed, insensitivity to others, dishonesty, anger and temper tantrums. Self control, self centeredness, and procrastination also need attention. Learning the lessons that discipline teaches often is not important to children.
These traits are all on display before the parents. The responsibility before the parents may seen daunting. Having the discernment and wisdom to help your children through childhood and the teen years does not come easy. Children need this. They need to know the security of boundaries and the consequences of improper actions.
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.
~Frederick Douglass
No ordinary work done by a man is either as hard or as responsible as the work of a woman who is bringing up a family of small children; for upon her time and strength demands are made not only every hour of the day but often every hour of the night.
