There was once a time when it’s acceptable for a parent to impose discipline by hitting the child with a rod or stick. Some might still be using this form of punishment, but I suspect it’s just a figure of speech nowadays (but again, we can never be sure). It basically has this meaning: failure to instill discipline will spoil the child.
There’s no doubt that discipline is necessary. Children will understandably resent it, in the same way that some of us may have resented being disciplined by our parents. Of course, some of us may have realized only later on that they were right. As they say, you’ll know that your parents were right when your child is telling you that you’re wrong. It’s karma at its best.
But how do you discipline a child? Is spanking still acceptable? Is it better to take a time-out, sending the child to a corner presumably to settle down and probably to reflect on what had just transpired? Would that be enough or effective?
There are pros and cons for each style. Each parent may find out that a certain style may not be effective, even if some “experts” say that style is better. So, let’s hear it from those who already experienced one of the challenges of parenthood — disciplining a child — and survived. What’s the best form of discipline? Any thoughts or suggestions?
