What is Discipline?

In our house, discipline is more than just punishing Lucas when he does something "wrong". To us, it's about teaching him to be responsible for his actions, and understanding that there are consequences AND rewards for the choices that we make.

After years of daycare employment, and a lifetime of observation, I've found several things that worked for us, and many that didn't. 

The most important thing for a parent to remember during discipline is this: DON'T GIVE UP. Be consistent, be caring, set achievable expectations, explain consequences, and start with a clean slate each day. 

Kids are kids, and they're learning every day. We can't expect them to always know what to do and how to behave. It's our job to teach them the ways of the world, and to love them no matter what.

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The difference between "Right" and "Wrong"

The phrase "he's too young to know better" has always bothered me. There are so many people that underestimate the emotional and developmental capabilities of children, and don't take into consideration a child's ever-expanding thirst for knowledge. Kids want to learn. As itty-bitty people, gaining knowledge about the world, and the people in it, should be their primary task in life. 

If you always say, "he doesn't know the difference between right and wrong", your child will never learn to separate the two notions. From a very young age, my husband and I taught Lucas that there are two kinds of decisions he can make, and these choices make people feel "good" or "sad". Even if his brain was unable to process all of the information, they begin to understand that what they do can change how people feel.