Alternatives to traditional punishment

Make decisions when it comes to child rearing It is not a very simple or easy task. Everything that parents do and the way they raise their children can have some influence on the child's future life.

Thus, mothers and fathers generally aim to find the best way to deal with each adverse situation they experience with their child in order to educate them to be a conscious and characterful adult.

When the child ends up doing something he or she shouldn't do, one of the things that goes on in the parent's mind is punishing him. An example of what might be considered a punishment It is to leave the child a week without visiting his friend to play or even a month without video game.


There are parents who do not give up traditional punishment and believe this is the best way to educate. However, there are alternatives to teaching him to act in the right way and which do not necessarily mean punishment. These options include more positive methods that appreciate good attitudes and not only emphasize the mistakes a child makes.

You, the mother who wants to opt for these alternative methods, check below what they are about.

Avoid the problem in advance. This tactic refers to preventing certain attitudes the child may have. For example, if you know that your child orders several candies when he goes to the market, arrange with him in advance a limit of sweets he can choose from if he has to go with you to the market.


Another suggestion is to prepare children before going to public places such as restaurants and malls. But, how to do it? Talk to him before leaving home and agree with him what he can and cannot do on the spot. If he does everything as you have agreed, appreciate the attitude, congratulating him on his behavior.

Establishing routines also helps in the daily life of the family. For example, encourage him to always keep his own toys. As? Make a poster where he can draw little ice cream, and each time he arranges everything, he can draw one. Every 10 or 20 ice creams drawn, he gets a delicious ice cream.

Distract him to take the focus off what you want him to do. Forcing the child to do what you want is the way to tantrum. If you want to prevent him from doing so, distract him with something else and he will do what he must. For example, a good way to get him to eat vegetables is to create fun dishes with your child, instead of forcing him to eat.


Speak what he can and cannot do. And explain why succinctly. Children will not pay attention to long and complex sentences, but the rules, when explained directly and when possible, in a fun way, do their job well. For example, instead of punishing one child for beating the other, say that "brothers are for play, not for beat." This way, the important information will draw more attention.

Enjoy what he does as the rule dictates. Instead of extolling the mistakes your children make, prefer to value him for the times he follows the rule and does what you agree. Exalting the bright side is a better alternative than punishing him for what he did wrong, experts say.

Use your mother creativity in your child's education. With love, respect and a lot of talk it is possible to extinguish the traditional punishment and choose more positive ways to deal with the common problems that every family has. Remember: when it comes to you and your child, follow your mother instinct and you will know what is best for him.

Friedrich Loesel - Treating Violent Offenders More Effectively: Alternatives to Punishment (April 2024)


  • Teens, Children and Teens
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