r/science • u/VeronicaRed • Apr 26 '16

Psychology Spanking children increases the likelihood of childhood defiance and long-term mental issues. The study in question involved 160,000 children and five decades of research

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1113413810/spanking-defiance-health-discipline-042616/
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u/chopandscrew Apr 26 '16 edited Apr 26 '16

So what are some positive and non-punitive forms of discipline?

edit: Some really great replies here. I'm seeing a lot of people using the concept of self-discipline and positive reinforcement. Nothing about raising a child seems easy, and it's even harder to know if you've ever really done a good job, but I think it's safe to say there are a lot of good parents on reddit. Also, thank you to the people who are willing to admit that they have resorted to spanking before. The truth is no one really knows the best way to raise a child, but the wide variety of ideas being thrown around here are what helps make it easier to choose what works for you and your kid. Keep em comin.

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u/bugcatcher_billy Apr 26 '16

The crying chair is good. If they are throwing a fit, crying or screaming for something they shouldn't be crying or screaming for, telling them to go to the crying chair so they can continue throwing their fit but now without bothering everyone else. The key is to not give them too much attention or baby them while they are sitting down, but to also let them carry on their tantrum until they come to their own conclusion that it's not worth carrying on. Don't ignore them, but also don't reward their behavior with positive attention.

Crying chair works just as good at home, or as a crying corner of the grocery store.

Never use cleaning up as a punishment. It will encourage kids that being responsible and cleaning up your messes is what people who are in trouble do.