Physical Discipline Of Kids Other Than Spankings

[Carl62]

In a spin-off of the 'spanking' thread, I was wondering what everybody thought of other forms of physical discipline that are used on kids such as hair pulling, face slapping, ear grabbing, etc. and if you used any other form of physical discipline on your kids other than spankings.

[john doe]

I use a small guillotine, just stick the end of a finger in there, and shave the end off. by the time they are 12 they either learn to obey, or they go through life being called Stumpy by their friends.

[Dravin]

I use a small guillotine, just stick the end of a finger in there, and shave the end off. by the time they are 12 they either learn to obey, or they go through life being called Stumpy by their friends.

That's a little clumsy. I suggest you go to a smoke shop (wear a disguise so nobody recognizes you) and buy a cigar cutter. The best part is it easily fits in the pocket so you can discipline your children on the go.

[Guest Alana]

If they are doing something I don't want them to do, I sometimes threaten them with a very severe tickling. Usually they cut it out but sometimes I have to follow through. I know it sounds harsh, but how else am I going to get them away from the brownies? It's almost dinner time after all!

[Guest mormonmusic]

I would much rather we discussed non-physical forms of discipline....

Here are a few suggestions:

1. When they are misbehaving, distract them into other more positive forms of behavior. Without seeming to have been aware of their bad behavior, barge into the room and say "Johnny, I'm going for a bike ride -- want to come?". A lot of kids will immediately stop pulling their sister's hair and bolt for the garage to get their bike.

Talk about hair pulling later in family home evening or in a quiet moment on the bike ride.

2. After they do something good, spontaneously reward them with something - a hug, something from a dollar store bag of toys, or an invitation to go out to ice cream because the goodness of their heart in what they did. If it's unexpected, it's not a bribe.

3. Help them see themselves as kind, positive people, and they will be more likely to act that way. For example, when they do something good spontaneously, let them know it's evidence of what a kind and generous person they are. Let them know how thankful you are that you have a "kind boy like you".

There's tons more if you only think about them, and they build a firm relationship between parent and child. You think about this long enough, and you'll find that there are so many effective ways of disciplining (and by that I mean "directing") behavior, that you['ll wonder why you ever spanked.

[GADBabaganoosh]

I don't have any kids, but I look forward to head butting them if they talk back./sarcasm........ ( I hope you all know that. My mom would always joke about beating us, but she never laid a hand on us. Or she would playfully punch my shoulder, which of course, did not hurt at all)

[talisyn]

I will admit, when my daughter is totally not cooperating I grab her earlobe and just hold it. It doesn't hurt, unless she moves. It drives her nuts

[mightynancy]

When my daughter went through her tantrum phase, I would quietly hold her in a bear hug on my lap to keep her from hurting herself. She'd fight and kick and try to bite until the storm had passed. Then, the rest of the day, she couldn't get enough of me because she was grateful that I provided control when she couldn't control herself. And I'm sure it felt good to have blown out the pipes, so to speak. That's really the only physical behavior intervention I use, unless you count manipulating the environment.

I am an elementary educator, and see daily the effect the physical environment has on children. Creating a quiet and comfortable reading corner works wonders for encouraging reading. Giving children space and opportunities to move freely helps them be still when they need to.

And Mormonmusic is right - the best way to get a child to quit doing something is to get him to do something else!

[baver3]

I will pinch my sons shoulder, like Spak style, in public (in lieu of a spanking). I have only had to do this very very few times and it made me feel guilty. I am extremely reluctant to do this but believe me it works and in public I like it better than spanking because its not so agressive and honestly you dont have to pinch very hard for it to hurt.

I think it just gets their attention.

I have spanked hands before, like when they are very young but I think the absolute most effective way of disciplining is taking something away from them, time outs and teaching them.

The longer I am a parent the more I realize that physical discipline has lasting negative effects and I dont want that kind of relationship with my child. I also think just because you dont spank your child but you yell all of the time or use an intimidating lloud voice is just as destructive.

I like putting my childs nose in the corner. It takes a lot of patience as a parent to do this one and I found it only necessary during the terrible two's. Now that my child is 4, he is so much more teachable and we can sit down and talk and I can reason with him.

I agree with mightnancy, children get out of control and they dont know what to do. They need boundaries and are so much happier when we create those for them.

[john doe]

When my daughter went through her tantrum phase, I would quietly hold her in a bear hug on my lap to keep her from hurting herself. She'd fight and kick and try to bite until the storm had passed. Then, the rest of the day, she couldn't get enough of me because she was grateful that I provided control when she couldn't control herself. And I'm sure it felt good to have blown out the pipes, so to speak. That's really the only physical behavior intervention I use, unless you count manipulating the environment.

How dare you restrain your child? Don't you realize that holding them stifles their creativity? It appears you have conditioned your child to be comfortably restrained, and will make her turn to crime just to feel the joy of being handcuffed. How cruel of a person are you? What kind of parent would act this way?

In case you folks can't tell, that was a joke. People who claim that a mild swat on the butt that does little more than startle a child to get their attention is akin to beating them with a lead pipe are completely off their rocker.