Positive Parenting and Discipline

[prayerfull]

I read the thread about "nudity in the home" and rather than getting into that specific topic, I wanted to query all parents about positive parenting and discipline.

When I was a child, my parents didn't even have to speak to get me to act right. That look alone did it - and when it didn't, my backside certainly got the message.

I'm sure that many of us were raised in the day and age where our parents believed the saying "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child". My backside was quite familiar with the Rod, the belt, shoes, switches, and even my dad's Que paddle!!!!

However, in 2001, parents can go to jail for some of the things that our parents did to us.

How do you discipline your child?

For me, I have no problem with some "light" spanking when necessary. I am not one for the formal spanking sessions that I got as a child. Nor can I get with the whole "time-out" concepts that some of my white friends believe in. Nothing gets me more that hearing a little white child acting a pure fool in the grocery store and a demure white woman begging and pleading with the child to behave or "it's time-out time for you when we get home young lady".

I work with the children in our church and have been facing a lot of problems with some of those children who have some serious behavior problems. Note that most of the children who have these problems are the ones whose parents just drop them off at church for rehearsals and activities and don't stay there with them or get involved with what's going on. I know that has a lot to do with it.

I'm hoping to get some good input and open some positive discussion on this topic, as I know that I could benefit in parenting my own children and working with the children at our church.