What's Wrong with Spanking?

Physical punishment such as spanking or hitting children, can hurt them physically, emotionally and socially --- and harsh words can hurt too. 
Physical punishment:

• Teaches your child that violence is a way to solve problems.
• Damages your child’s self-respect.
• Increases the risk of a child becoming aggressive, depressed or anxious.
• Can lead to the injury and abuse of your child.

Positive discipline teaches children how to behave, be safe and get along with other people. It's about guiding their behaviour, rather than forcing them to obey.

Ways to Help Your Child Behave

To encourage better behaviour:

• Follow a routine.  Children find it easier to behave if they know the routine, like getting ready for bed before the story.
• Offer choices. To avoid argument, ask “Would you like orange juice or milk?”, instead of “What do you want?”.
• Be consistent. Make positive, simple and realistic rules, and try to respond the same way all the time.
• Catch you child doing something good! Reward good behaviour with attention, hugs and smiles.

What to do When Your Child Misbehaves

When your child misbehaves:

• Stay calm. Take a few deep breaths to feel calmer.  Plan out your words, and keep your voice down.
• Focus on the behaviour. Describe the action, not the child.  Say, “I don’t like this mess” instead of “you’re messy”.
• Give logical consequences. Use consequences that make sense for your child’s actions and age.  If your child throws a toy, take away the toy for a short time.
• Solve problems together. Be willing to listen and negotiate.  Choose the best solution and talk about how it worked.

Where to go for Help

For helpful tips on raising children and information on local parenting programs, contact:
 

Peterborough County-City Health Unit   705-743-1000

Ontario Early Years Centre                     705-748-9144 Peterborough

Kinark Child and Family Servoces         1-800-386-6561

The “Healthy Families Collection” at the Peterborough Public Library also has an excellent collection of books for loan on a wide variety of parenting topics.