I think a lot has to do with the tone of voice and the look on
ur face.
Most of the time I rarely find it necessary to shout at my
kids
The most difficult case I had to handle once was a child who is a
kleptomaniac.
He's only 8, comes from a well to do family but KEEPS ON
STEALING
small items mind you, over and over again
I ran through the entire gamut of punishments -
quiet time, locked room, reflections, diary.. and it didnt
work
His father and mom smacked him every single time, hit his
hands
it didnt work.
When I discover he stole again, he will stand in front of me
sobbing
and telling he he doesn't understand WHY he stole he hates himself
he don't understand why why why... and u can hear the frustration
in his voice.
until we realised it was cos he did it to get attention from his
dad
who flies frequently overseas, and eventually we got him to keep a
notebook and everytime he wants to steal soemthing, he would keep
his hands busy by taking out his notebook to draw the item he want
to steal and WALK AWAY.
Before i left, he drew about 3 items in the notebook and showed it
to me and told me happily he managed to walk away. Don't know how
is he now...
But really.. as far as I see it... most kids are not born naughty.
It is all learn behaviour and there is a good reason WHY they
behave the way they do.
And if u need to smack them, I prefer the hand or the bottom. At
home and not in public. Because respect got to be mutual.
