Do you have a wild child? Then this article may be for you. Do you just blow up when you can't take it any more? Then this article is definitely for you.
Abuse victims, when they become parents, are handicapped in two ways. One, they have no clue how to give good discipline because they never saw it done. A parent who knows how does not resort to abuse. Or, I should say, a parent who knows how deep in his/her bones, not just intellectually, does not need to resort to abuse. So if you were beaten, humiliated, yelled at, ignored, neglected, abandoned, criticized, or any of the hundred other ways of being abused, you never saw good discipline in action. So you just don't know what it looks like.
Now, suppose you take a parenting course. Here's handicap #2. Even when you learn--intellectually--what it is, many parents who have been abused have a gut-level abhorence of anything that remotely looks like violence. Any form of discipline that is perfectly "kosher" may look to an abuse victim like something harsh, mean, and hateful. And those parents just can't seem to put it into action. That's when the leniency paves the way for the very abuse they don't ever want to be guity of doing: Because they have failed to discipline their child, the child, of course, gets out of hand, eventually. That's what normal children do, if unstopped. So then, these sweet, lovely parents who couldn't bring themselves to discipline their child lash out at them angrily. And they actually feel justified! "I've had enough!" They exclaim.
Well, that's true, but whose fault is that? You've had enough because you didn't nip it in the bud with proper discipline. Now you criticize or yell or hit or whatever and actually think that the child is "bad." Hey, that's exactly the mistake your parents might have made. So if this sounds like you, don't confuse proper discipline with abuse. Start the discipline and then you won't have to blow up.
For example, I once worked with a family in which the mother felt so guilty about a remarriage and so abhorent of abuse because of the abuse she had received that she also never would discipline that child. Until one day she discovered that, at 14, her daughter was sneaking out the window at night to go party. Then, as you can imagine, she lost it.
If you're not clear what discipline is, read the article on it. click here. But don't run away from it or it'll only get worse.
Dr. Debby Schwarz Hirschhorn, Ph.D.
Marriage and Family Therapist
click here
School authorities often complain that classes are too large. They... Read More
Although many parents become frustrated as they try to maintain... Read More
What is in a name?The answer is everything!Jo J. of... Read More
1 - Forgive even if you will never be able... Read More
MYTH: All teens have to rebel, and the teen years... Read More
If you were to ask 100 parents why they think... Read More
Even as a busy parent, I'm sure you've seen a... Read More
Do you praise your child when he fulfils a basic... Read More
What is the mystery of motherhood? I know that when... Read More
Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More
My husband and I have a 12-year-old daughter who wanted... Read More
It can be hard being a parent with a teen... Read More
For any parent, learning that a convicted sex offender lives... Read More
Did you know that inconsistency on matters of discipline gives... Read More
We take it for granted that children know how money... Read More
Here in Kansas, where we live, the leaves are turning... Read More
Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More
So you're pregnant. Congratulations! Your life is about to change... Read More
Recently, a much-anticipated game of mini-golf with my children soon... Read More
We begin forming healthy habits at a young age. With... Read More
It's been said, time and again, that for a child... Read More
Parental Alienation Syndrome was probably first identified and codified by... Read More
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the phrase that is... Read More
Though you can cover even very long distances by car... Read More
Everyone needs friends, and, as parents, you and I both... Read More
efficient cleaning crew Highland Park ..Did you know there's a game children and parents play... Read More
Did you know that many people retire broke?It's true. After... Read More
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
Attention all parents of teen-agers. Here is an important, groundbreaking... Read More
The girl's jaw dropped in horror as the police officer... Read More
Are your children truthful, kind, and helpful? If so, read... Read More
Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant... Read More
It's the first day of the summer holiday. Five year-old... Read More
One of the most prevalent myths of our modern culture... Read More
This time, I would like to talk about a subject... Read More
For most children, it is easy to learn to read... Read More
Handing Down Malignancy.Children may begin bright and eager to face... Read More
1. Boundaries are necessary for control and safety.All children need... Read More
When parents help their children learn to read, they help... Read More
If your child or teen has been diagnosed with Attention... Read More
As I sit here and reflect on the past two... Read More
What is hard for parentsLetting them learn from their mistakes.Trying... Read More
How should one look upon Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)... Read More
I will never forget the day that my daughter's sixth... Read More
There are many reasons for treating your twins as individuals... Read More
The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
In the beginning, having children was just a byproduct of... Read More
Volunteering together is a fantastic way to spend time as... Read More
The 21st Century Problem in Schools: Bullying, and How to... Read More
Certainly we all want our children to excel. But it... Read More
Parenting |