THE 11th tip in the 31 days to becoming a better dad is to discipline your children with love.

Children need discipline. They don't need punishment. They don't need to be yelled at or hit.

Discipline is about guidance. You can't beat or yell it into someone. Guidance is about maintaining your moral authority and being the person your children look up to for guidance. When you reduce yourself to yelling or worse, hitting, you risk losing your status as "trusted adviser".

By choosing to discipline your children with love instead of anger, and choosing positive over negative, your children will come to know that you are on their side and that they can come to you in times of need without fear of reprisal.

When your children make mistakes, remind them of some pre-discussed consequences and follow through on them. Disciplining with love does not entail being a push over. It requires you to be firm and understanding, consistent and compassionate. Often times, our children make mistakes in a cry for help. They feel alone or scared. The last thing they need is the most trusted people in their lives yelling at them.

DAD TALK

* How was discipline handled when you were a child?
* Do you discipline your children the same way?
* Why or why not?

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