Spanking is one of the worst techniques of disciplining children which can give rise to many psychological issues in them. Read on to learn how to stop yourself from spanking your child.Research shows that spanking during childhood leads to aggressive behaviour, antisocial behaviour, relationship problems and mental health problems in children when they grow up.
Most parents
spank their children because they do not find any other solution or find this the easiest one. Majority of them regret this act afterwards. In fact, researchers also find that this aggravates aggressiveness in children and they opt for aggression and violence as solution to most of their problems when they grow up.
Tips on Stopping Yourself from Spanking Your Child
Have a quick look at some tips for stopping yourself from spanking your child.
1. Calm Down
If you find your anger growing and you feel like spanking your child, leave the situation. Calm down and get quiet. When your
anger will settle, you will find an alternative solution to the problem. Often parents spank their kids because of a prevailing stress within them.
2. Give Yourself Some Time
Do not expect overnight change within you. Also, if you are short of time often, you would react and spank your child even if there is no need of that. So, give yourself some time and exercise, read, pay attention to hobbies and have some ‘me’ time.
3. Distract Your Child
If your child is doing something destructive or something that you do not like, offer her alternatives that are safe and positive. Make sure you are firm with the alternative you offer and do not let your child carry on the destructive activity.
4. Avoid Conflicts and Power Fights
One of the most aggressive moments are when you have a power fight with your child. Sometimes children provoke their parents which leads to spanking or
yelling. Remember, when you withdraw from a conflict, do not leave the room in anger. Tell your child to talk to you when she is ready to speak respectfully.
5. Educate Your Child
When children are too young they do not know what they should do and what not. Let your child know the do’s and don’ts beforehand. Follow up with the
rules so that your children do not forget the safety and sanitary rules along with keeping in mind common etiquettes.
6. Withhold Privileges
When your child does not listen, you can take away her privilege for some time. Make sure you take immediate and firm action and let her know why you have deprived her of her thing of interest and for how long you will do that.
7. Make Her Understand the Consequences
Instead of hitting your child for her mistake, make her understand the consequences. Tell her calmly what can happen if she continues to do that. For example, if she jumps from the bed, tell her that if she continues to do that, she will hurt her feet and will not be able to walk, go anywhere and will have to sit at home all the time.
8. Opt for Time-Out
You must have opted for time-out for your children time and again. If you feel that you are irritated and may spank your child, take a time-out for yourself. This will help you calm down and analyse your child’s activities more clearly.
9. Pay attention to Your Health and Hobbies
Even if you have small kids at home you need some time to get refreshed and relaxed. Do not deprive yourself from this. Eat balanced food and take proper rest daily.
Just keep in mind that aggression leads to spanking and this will not just toll on your child’s self-esteem, but also dampen her enthusiasm and make her rebellious and uncooperative. Try to solve the problem creatively without using force or violence. Calmer parents appear more supportive. Options are unlimited, just look for them.
What are the ill effects of spanking or hitting children? How to avoid spanking children? How to discipline children without spanking or yelling at them? Discuss here.
