How to Use Positive Discipline

Parenting means "to teach a child life skills by example, instruction, and making corrections when needed." It is imperative that the corrections from you, as a parent, are designed to build your child up instead of tearing your child down. This is where Positive Discipline comes in. Positive discipline uses positive intervention to teach a child to better handle a situation.

How Do Parents Use Positive Discipline?

To use Positive discipline you, the parent, must:
1. Stay in control of your own emotions when disciplining your child.
2. Take advantage of your child's parenting team.
3. Use logical consequences when disciplining your child.
4. Distinguish between your child's behavior and your child.
5. Use more praise than criticism when disciplining your child.
6. Allow your child to start over with a clean slate.

Stay in Control of Your Emotions and Reactions.

Positive Discipline Requires Parents to Stay in Control of Their Own Emotions and Reactions. Parents do not teach well when they are angry. Children do not learn well when they are afraid. You, as a parent, are required to control your emotions when using positive discipline. Taking control of a situation and keeping control is not possible if your emotions are out of control. Allowing your child to make you angry gives control to your child. By keeping control of your emotions you are able to stay focused on the matter at hand.

Snap decisions often involve harsher punishments than are required. Harsher punishments usually do not have the desired effect. Positive discipline is not about making snap decisions. When emotions are strong take turns with your child's other parent or take time out to compose yourself. Taking turns parenting also allows each parent a chance to get a firsthand look at the problem and a chance to work on a solution.