Every parent needs some alternatives to spanking to discipline your child. In 47 countries around the world, it is illegal for a parent, teacher, or anyone else to spank a child, and 124 countries prohibit corporal punishment in schools.
Yet in all of North America, physical punishment by a parent, as long as it is not severe, is still seen by many as necessary discipline, and condoned, or sadly, even encouraged.
Here are some great alternatives to spanking to discipline your child.
Parents are more prone to use spanking when they haven't had any time to themselves and they feel depleted and hurried.
Make eye contact, touch him gently and tell him, in a kind but firm voice what it is you want him to do. For example, "I want you to play quietly."
Consequences that are logically related to the behavior help teach children responsibility.
Compare that situation to a child who breaks a neighbor's window and his parent says, "I see you've broken the window, what will you do to repair it," using a kind but firm tone of voice.
The child decides to mow the neighbor's lawn and wash his car several times to repay the cost of breaking the window. What does the child learn in this situation?
That mistakes are an inevitable part of life and it isn't so important that he made the mistake but that he takes responsibility to repair the mistake. The focus is taken off the mistake and put on taking responsibility for repairing it.
The child feels no anger or revenge toward his parent.
Calmly say, "I'll be in the next room when you want to talk more respectfully.
Instead of smacking an infant's hand or bottom when she touches something she isn't supposed to, kindly but firmly pick her up and take her to the next room.