ELEMENTARY SCHOOL YOUTH
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Remember the 85-15 rule when it comes to discipline
Too often, discipline gets a bad rap. Parents sometimes think it means punishing a child who has misbehaved, which involves setting rules, enforcing them and handing out consequences. And none of that is very enjoyable for kids or parents.
The word discipline comes from the Latin word disciplinare, which actually means "to teach." So try thinking about discipline in a different way. Think of discipline as a way to give your child the tools to succeed in life.
Most of your discipline--roughly 85 percent--should focus on encouraging good behavior. That involves spending time with your child. Model the behavior you want to see in your child. If you want a kind child, you should be kind to others. If you want a responsible child, you should show that in your own behavior.
That leaves just 15 percent of the time to focus on negative behavior. You may still have to do time-outs sometimes. But you'll spend most of your time on things that really matter.
Reprinted with permission from the May 2012 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2012 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: W. Sears and M. Sears, The Successful Child: What Parents Can Do to Help Kids Turn Out Well, Hachette Book Group.
