How should I discipline my children? - Family - TouchPoints

Proverbs 13:24Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

Discipline your children with love. If you have their safety and well-being in mind, you will need to disciple them in order to protect them.

Proverbs 19:18Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.

Discipline is almost always most effective when done right away because it makes the cause and effect of the punishment more relevant. Small children may need more discipline when they are young to teach them what is safe and right. As your children grow up, you will probably need to discipline them less and less as they put into practice the things they’ve learned from your loving correction.

Ephesians 6:4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Never discipline out of anger because the only thing it teaches a child is to react in anger. If you are angry, calm down before you discipline. When you are calm enough to discipline, be sure to explain to your children what they did wrong, that you love you them, and instruct them in how to do better next time. Then they will not only learn from their mistakes but also how to react in love, not anger.

Colossians 3:21Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.

Discipline should be done without causing aggravation and discouragement. Aggravating your children takes the focus off your love and concern for them. This is discouraging for children because they don’t see the point of the discipline, only the discipline itself.

Hebrews 12:10For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.

The Bible is full of wisdom on how to deal with children. Commit these words of wisdom to heart and devote yourself to putting them into practice.