If you see any signs of rebellion in your children, please deal with it when they are very young. The younger you deal with this, the better chances you have of raising children who are not rebellious. The first place to start is when you ask them to do something, do they do it right away? If not, deal with it quickly.
One young woman told me when she asked her two and a half year old son to come to her to change his diaper, he ran away. I told her she must take a wooden spoon or some other object and spank him on his bottom hard enough so it will hurt. She told me it worked beautifully. She never had to spank him because if she just shows him the spoon, he obeys. The best thing would be for a child to obey you before he even sees the spoon!
I realize spanking a child is very controversial in today's climate. However, I will always teach what the Bible teaches regardless of what "the experts" are saying. Rebellion is a terrible thing and must be dealt with or you may end up having a child that causes much pain in your life later on.
Make sure you recognize true rebellion. If a child whines a lot, have a certain place you make them sit until they can control themselves. This is teaching them self-control which is important for them to learn. Whining isn't rebellion unless you tell them to stop and they continue. Any time they don't obey you, it is rebellion so deal with it.
The sooner you deal with it, the easier raising children will be for you. I have seen way too many parents allow their children to continually disobey them when they were growing up and the children turned into rebellious adults who usually resent their parents. Children want to be self- disciplined but it must be taught to them. Their lives will be so much easier if you take the time to discipline them when they are young and obey you promptly.
Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
Proverbs 13:24
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MBB · 616 weeks ago
Brit · 616 weeks ago
Lindsay Harold · 616 weeks ago
Also, we never let her get away with temper tantrums. Even when she was too little to understand she was doing wrong, when she threw a fit and screamed (as opposed to simply crying...there's an obvious difference) she never got what she wanted until she stopped. We didn't spank her since she didn't know it was wrong to throw a fit, but it delayed her getting what she wanted so she figured out pretty quick that throwing fits was counterproductive. Now she never throws fits.
Elizabeth · 616 weeks ago
Courtney · 616 weeks ago
Jason Ellis · 616 weeks ago
Christel · 616 weeks ago
Courtney · 616 weeks ago
Cynthia · 616 weeks ago
They have never been spanked. We have found more effectively ways to maintain discipline and teach respect.
I say this not to brag (I believe that God controls the outcome far more than I do), but to say that it IS possible to have a good outcome without causing children physical pain.
Since this is a case, and it is possible to raise decent children with or without spanking, why choose to spank if it is not necessary? We are commanded to love others as we love ourselves, and to treat others as we would like to be treated. Our children are included in this.
Today, more than ever, the world threatens to exert negative influences on our children. We need them to have a rock-solid relationship with us, so that they WANT to follow our moral example, confide in us and follow our moral instruction. If that is impaired - and we do have testimony from many who unfortunately have left the path due to harshness - we will lose our children to the street.
Cynthia · 616 weeks ago
1. Ask yourself "is this something that will be an issue when my child is 20?" I don't know developmentally-normal adults who stick fingers in electric sockets, or who run away from diaper changes. These are simply practical issues, not moral ones. On the other hand, there are many adults who do not treat others with respect, or who do not have good relationships with siblings. In these areas, it is important to cultivate good moral values.
2. Act, don't yak. Instead of yelling from across a room, or repeating requests and threats, simply go right up to a child, get down close enough so that they can hear you without having to yell, make eye contact, and give an instruction ONCE. Then, act upon it. A tv gets turned off, an object gets removed before it can be thrown, a tot gets picked up and changed, a child gets taken outside to finish putting on coat and boots, car seat buckles are done up, etc. No opportunity is given for rebellion - it is nipped in the bud, without argument, anger or punishment. I find that after I act, protests go away since it is a done deal.
3. Train yourself to encourage, notice and praise good character. Write a "good deed note" each day on a green post-it, and then stick in on a "good deed tree" on the wall, as a leaf. A child as young as 2 or 3 can help put away a toy, or play nicely with a sibling, or give a kiss to cheer up mommy or daddy, or help put a can in the food pantry drop-box, etc. Kids love attention, and this lets them get it in a positive way.
4. Be a role model. Set an example of moral conduct, and of love and respect. Children also respect parents more when the parents respect each other.
5. Build a loving relationship. A small child who comes to you with small problems will grow into a big teen who will be willing to come to you with bigger problems. Don't allow a child to become closed off and reluctant to confide in you.
Emily · 607 weeks ago
It is absolutely sickening for me to read you encouraging parents to beat their children at all, but especially when they are so young and haven't even done something that is morally wrong. Absolutely sickening and sad.
I will be praying that God changes your view, so you start to live with GRACE.