Our World

Are we too soft on our kids?

According to an article I found while scanning www.fark.com, (A great resource to find interesting articles from all over the world) calling a child "naughty" can traumatize them.

So, what exactly are you supposed to do when your kid acts up? Call their actions "naughty", which sounds like a good point. But how many 2 year olds will be able to say that their parents traumatized them by calling them "naughty" 30 years from now, bawling in front of their shrink who will likely respond with a sigh and advise them to "grow up"? Quite honestly I think we are babying our children far too much.

Kids act up, you discipline them in a gentle yet effective and firm way. This is how kids learn. Sweet lord, sometimes it feels like every time a child does something wrong, we give them a cookie after politely saying that they shouldn't do that just so they don't feel bad. Kids are far more mentally resiliant than we give them credit for. How do I know this? Because my parents are just fine. Pretty sure my friend's parents are just fine. They were scolded, spanked, even yelled at on occasion, and they aren't blubbering to a psychiatrist about it.

There are such things as positive reinforcement, like rewarding children who do well with a cookie (unless you go to SHS, such actions violate the wellness policy) or verbal praise. These are meant to encourage these actions. Negative reinforcement would include time outs, loss of privelages, and before it became politically incorrect, spanking. These are meant to discourage bad behavior. "Hmm! If I eat a whole package of mom's expensive chocolates while she is at work, I don't get to watch TV tonight. Better not do that again, huh??

It feels like we are taking it too easy on kids, which could lead to some major problems later on in life. Kids are tough, and they gotta learn, so discipline accordingly and fairly. Otherwise, you're the bigger baby.

posted by Anonymous @ 10/17/2006 11:38:00 AM