Your child hits another kid at the park. You spank them for doing it. You yell at them for doing it. You put them in time out. You make them apologize. You get down to their eye level and lovingly discuss what happened and explain why it’s wrong to hit others. OR you just say “We don’t do that” and move on….
There are so many reactions we could have when it comes to how we discipline our children. I know for me when I am disciplining my children it needs to happen right away and not two hours later. I’ve learned through the years to respond to my children a little differently than when I first became a mom.
My first reaction used to be to get loud so they hear and understand me. I would react right away instead of being calm and collecting my thoughts before I reacted.
Now I try really hard to make a conscious effort and get down to their eye level, use a loving tone, and discuss the problem. Role playing is something I also like to do with them after they’ve encountered some heartache. We assess the situation and talk about what they did and how they could’ve done it differently. We discuss the different outcomes also. It’s important for them to see the big picture and understand that their actions have consequences.
I have to admit I’ve done this a few lot of times. They start throwing a fit and I give in and buy them that toy or I let them talk back to me a few too many times.
The truth is: Our kids are not going to be perfect angels whenever we are out in public. We have a God- given responsibility to teach our kids how to behave appropriately.
I am learning daily to hide away in God’s word when I am overwhelmed. I know it isn’t always easy to run to God when we need to escape but training yourself to do that over and over will be such a blessing in the end.
May our purpose be to train them up and model unconditional love!
We’ve got this mamas!!! Keep shining your light and loving others deeply!
I am LOVING these photos Arzu took of the girls and I at the Confetti Market a few weeks ago! We had the best time and got to see a bunch of local Houston small shops!
Oh my goodness, this was perfect and on time!! You are so right and this is an area I am working on desperately. I have so much anxiety about my children’s behavior in public sometimes. We go over all the do’s and don’ts and sometimes, it doesn’t matter. Thank you for this post. It’s awsome and so are the pictures!
You are such a wonderful and beautiful mom, friend. I love all of your points and couldn’t agree more.
You are gorgeous and this is darling!
Such great tips! Such a big responsibilty to be role model’s in our children’s lives. Each day is a new day and I try to be a little better. Loved reading your insights to parenting.
Great post mama!! And LOVE the pictures!!! Leighton’s having a little snack!! lol!
I’m definitely a “yeller” by nature and need to remind myself to hold back those knee jerk reactions! Thanks for the reminder.
You are a fabulous mama! This was so beautifully written and i couldn’t agree more!
These pics are so fun! I too take a thoughtful and calm approach rather than a reactive one!
Love this post and these photos!
This is precious and these photos are just amazing!
Such amazing photos!! And yes, mama, we’ve got this. It’s so important to train them up, and how we do it is key. Love this post 🙂
What a fun shoot with your beautiful girls! I tend to raise my voice with my oldest, now that he’s testing our waters. I need to remind myself that they learn from us! Take a deep breathe and maybe just ask God for the right words! Thanks for this post! Needed it!
These are such fun and beautiful photos!!
I love that this isn’t a piece “dictating” how to approach your children during certain situations, but more of a reminder that our behavior as parents is also integral in guiding them through their experiences. I was more of a “yeller” and by having to curtail my own emotional impulses, I had to learn how to discipline my own reactions. Even more so with our sensory boy. I’m nearly 40 and after two boys, we now have a very enthusiastic daughter that is very tactile with no fear. Each of my kids are different and I am still learning how to beat raise them as we go. Thank you for sharing. ❤️
I love these pictures and love the post! We have to remember, too we can’t discipline all our kids the same! Emma & Aaron have to completely opposite personalities and react totally opposite to the same kind of discipline…what works for one doesn’t work for the other!