5. Don't go overboard with spanking.

The thing with spanking is that it doesn't teach the right lesson: It shows a child that hitting is a way to solve problems. The habitual use of physical punishment also sets a bad example to your child by showing that the physically stronger gets to be the boss, which is why spanking and caning are likely to do more harm than good. Most child-development experts agree that spanking a child will only stop the bad behavior temporarily, and isn't an effective long-term strategy.

6. Issue time-outs.

The time-out technique is a non-physical discipline that is recommended by many pediatrists and developmental psychologists as an alternative to spanking and is gaining popularity with parents and teachers alike.

Here's the lowdown: A "time-out spot" that is boring enough (i.e. away from other kids, toys and TV), is designated beforehand, such as one corner of the activity room or the bottom of the staircase. You then decide what type of behavior warrants a time-out (such as fighting, tantrums or arguing) and try to enforce this consistently and fairly. The idea is to keep your child isolated for a limited period of time so he can calm down, reflect on his behavior and see that his actions are unacceptable. As a general guide, experts recommend giving time-out that corresponds to your child's age – for example, a 3-year-old gets a three-minute time-out.

Copyright © ShoppingLifestyle.com