I think nix summed it up pretty well. If you don't discipline your kids, which in my opinion shows lack of love, then they will walk all over you. As my wife stated the other day when we were talking about punishment she said, "punishing the kids makes their lives better, they may not think it today, but it will improve their way of living in the future." I have to agree, besides being a good husband and never disagreeing with my wife who is always correct HAHAHAH, because if they aren't disciplined what is to prevent them from living a life of crime at an early age, and once that is started it is hard to stop.
One thing that is bad, and which my mother in law did to her children, was get out of hand for her punishment. She often whipped out the belt for no reason and her kids were often oblivious as to why they were being punished. My dad, and I do the same now, would sit me down and talk to me before he spanked me. He would tell me why what I did was wrong and why he was punishing me. That way I knew it was for a reason, and that way both of us weren't mad, although I was sore, and it helped me have respect for him rather than fear, which a child should never have for their parents. My wife and I also had a tradition that the immediate punishment, often for smaller things, were done by my wife, whereas I would deal with the larger things. Since most things happened during the day, my wife calls me and tells me what happens, so that by the time I get home I have calmed down and approach things with a cool head, besides giving our children the time to think about what they have done before punishment. Another thing I found is that when I don't give out punishment for a particular event, although they know they should have and expected it, they don't have a repeat of that issue. But if they do have a repeat, then they get a large punishment instead because they were shown mercy but took advantage of it. Sorry for the length.
One thing that is bad, and which my mother in law did to her children, was get out of hand for her punishment. She often whipped out the belt for no reason and her kids were often oblivious as to why they were being punished. My dad, and I do the same now, would sit me down and talk to me before he spanked me. He would tell me why what I did was wrong and why he was punishing me. That way I knew it was for a reason, and that way both of us weren't mad, although I was sore, and it helped me have respect for him rather than fear, which a child should never have for their parents. My wife and I also had a tradition that the immediate punishment, often for smaller things, were done by my wife, whereas I would deal with the larger things. Since most things happened during the day, my wife calls me and tells me what happens, so that by the time I get home I have calmed down and approach things with a cool head, besides giving our children the time to think about what they have done before punishment. Another thing I found is that when I don't give out punishment for a particular event, although they know they should have and expected it, they don't have a repeat of that issue. But if they do have a repeat, then they get a large punishment instead because they were shown mercy but took advantage of it. Sorry for the length.
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