Positive Discipline

NO anger
NO lecture
NO threats
NO consequences
NO Punishment
NO yelling
NO bribes
NO threats

So...what CAN we do to discipline our children? WTF is left, right? LOL 

Positive parenting is about the relationship you have with your child

1. Maintain healthy, loving relationship

Make every hello and goodbye a special event and seal in your love for your children with affection, love, songs, healthy food, and lots of play together! Happy hids who feel loved behave better than those are seeking attention or validation. 

2. Model how to behave, how to make good choices, how to be a decent human!

Children won't do what you tell them to do. They'll only do what you've shown them to do. So, take stock of what you wnat your children to do, how youd like for them to behave and the types of character traits you hope they posess and then DO and BE those things. Discipline isn't necessary when they have an appropriate role model they love and look up to. 

3. Expect them to be GOOD, not bad

Children, and adults, will meet you at your expectations. If you expect your children to act up, they probably will. But, contrarily, if you expect them to behave and make the right choices, they often do! It may take a few loving, gentle reminders, but by maintaining your calm and preserving your relationship with your child, eventually they'll figure it out. 

Relationship is KEY!

"Take the kids for ice cream" is my number one parenting tip! No amount of yelling, screaming, threatening will "fix" a child who wants your love and attention. So, stop focusing on the hole and enjoy the donut. Start seeing your child for all that they are, not all you want them to be. When you are fully present, fully accepting, fully loving this wonderful being, the discipline problems and poor behaviors begin to decrease naturally. Smile at them, love them, tell them they matter to you, and be sure to notice all they're doing WELL. Make time for ice cream and play and enjoy life together. 

Be well!