Looking for more effective ways of getting your child to do as you say? There are many ways to get your child to obey without hitting or shouting. Here is a scenario providing you with several suggestions as to how you can handle discipline problems with your child more easily.
Sakina is playing a game on the computer. It’s dinner time and you tell her it’s time to get off because her meal is ready. Sakina is clearly enthralled with her video game on the computer and ignores your commands. How do you get her to get off the computer with fewer complaints and less fuss and hassle?
- Prepare for change. Let Sakina know several minutes ahead of time that it’s almost time for dinner and she’ll have to get off the computer soon. This will allow her to prepare herself for when it’s time to get off.
- Offer choices. When it’s time for you to tell Sakina to get off the computer, offer her choices. Try the following: “Sakina, it’s time to get off the computer. Do you want me to fix your plate or do you want to fix it?” This will help her feel empowered. Children like to feel they have a say in decisions that involve them. Constantly being instructed to do this and do that can lead to Salina becoming frustrated and defensive.
- Count to 3. If Sakina still fails to get off the computer, calmly give her a 1,2,3, count. 1,2,3, counts go like this: “Sakina, I’m going to count to 3 and I want you off the computer.” Then begin your count – 1,2,3. This usually works like clockwork. But, per chance Sakina still chooses to remain on the computer, inform her of the consequences for failing to get off when you instruct her to.
- Enforce consequences. Let her know that the next time she wants to use the computer, she won’t be able to because she didn’t get off when you instructed. Be sure to avoid expressing to her that you are upset or angry about her failure to comply. Simply let her know what her penalty is and continue on with your activities. If she rushes to get off the computer after you have told her about her penalty, do not change your penalty. Maintain your decision, and avoid letting her get on again later in the evening or whenever you have designated her restriction.
- Reward compliance. On occasion when you notice Sakina getting off the computer as soon as you have asked her to, be sure to compliment her verbally. You can even give her a hug or a kiss. “I like it when you get off the computer as soon as I ask you to.” OR “Thank you for getting off as soon as I ask you to.” This form of complimenting your child might sound and feel strange initially if you’re not used to speaking in this manner. But the more you speak in this fashion, the more natural it will become, Insha’Allah.
You might even want to add to your compliment that you know how hard it is for her to stop right in the middle of what she’s doing when she’s having fun. This last comment adds extra value to your statement of praise. You let your daughter know that you appreciate her getting off promptly. But you also let her know that you understand and care about her feelings, as you know how difficult it is for her to get off the computer when she’s fully involved with it.
Try the above tips in your home and I think you’ll be surprised at how more effective discipline can be for you and your child.
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36 replies on “5 Tips to Discipline More Effectively”
May Allaah reward u immensely grandma!
Jazakalakhair wa Barakalafik, Sister Bushraa,
Asc I made an order I was expecting to get it to the mail and I didn’t receive anything
Wa Alaikum Salam Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu My Dear Sister Ifrah. Please excuse me for the delay in responding to your post, I just read it today. I hope you are satisfied with my reply during our phone conversation the other day. I apologize that we only carry e-books and not hard copies as you desired. I also apologize that you were unable to access your e-book. Please let me know if you received your free complimentary copy that I personally emailed you and when you receive you PayPal refund. Thank you so much and Jazakalakhair for considering Grandma Jeddah’s e-books.
Jazaakillaahu khairan grandma!
Masha Allah! He knows best.. just i need some guidance this article came up:) seriously I was in very bad anger this morning with my kids.. Alhamdullilah manage to control. Telling myself not to hit them.. this article really will help me through handling my kids.. thanks!
Masha’Allah, this is a pleasure to know. All good is truly from Allah. Jazakalakhair.
Thank you, may Allah reward you.
You are more than welcome . Wa Jazak.
Jazakallah khair for the beautiful tips to control our kids. These are indeed very worthy. I will definitely try them. May Allah almighty bless you with high reward.
Wa Jazak. May Allah The Most High bless you with success!
mashaa Allah, educative. jazakallahu kheyr.
Wa Jazak and Barakalafik.
Very good advice! I have tried these methods few times and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. It is very important that we stay consistent with the penalty. Lots of times parents reward children even for bad behavior and I don’t think that is a good thing. Even the times it doesn’t work with my son I still continue with the same methods written above.
Thank you and Jazakalakhair for your kind words, Sister Nadia. YOu make some very good points, Masha’Allah.
Thanks very much for sharing that info , its very useful to parents, may Allah bless u abundantly
You are more than welcome, Sister Shamillah, Jazakalakhair wa Barakalafik.
Masha’ALLAH! An extremely educative and helpful guide for all parents
Thank you and Jazakalakhair for taking the time to comment
This is really nice to read INSHALLAH I will aply this jazakallah grandma.
Sister Aijaz, may Allah bless you with much success and good in your efforts.
May ALLAH(SWT) reward you Ameen
Jazakalakhair wa Barakalafik, Sister Aisha.
Mon sha Allah I can’t wait to have children and teach them in this manner. Jazallahu khoeran
Very nice article. I think every parent must apply this.
Jazakalakhair wa Barakalafik.
And what should you do if Sakina still refuses to come of the computer, despite warning of penalties, and refuses to do most things when asked even when praised for doing good and given penalties when not?
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullha Wa Barakatu SV. Most children will respond favorably when praised and encouraged to do so or penalized for not behaving appropriately. However there are indeed some children who what some call opposition defiant disorder (ODD). There are a host of reasons why this might occur. There are also a host of ways to deal with this type of behavior. Sometimes a child might have a developmental disability that contributes to such misbehavior. This April is Autism Awareness Month. I will be posting on my blog all this month articles related to special needs and developmental disabilities. Some the articles will discuss ways to manage these types of children. They are certainly exceptional cases which require exceptional patience on the part of the parent. You might also be interested in my e-book Discipline without Disrespecting. It goes into detail why children have tendencies to misbehave. The following are links to my blog and e-book store. http://www.grandmajeddah.com and http://www.grandmajeddah.blogspot.com Jazakalakhair for your very important question.
Grandma Jeddah
This is indeed a great Jihad, May ALLAH reward u with Jannatil Firdaus
Jazakalakhair wa Barakalafik.May allah The Most High bless you and your family with the same and more.
Jazak Allahu khairan
may Allah himself reward u profoundly with the good wrk u r doing
Amazing article but kids now a days adapt what ever situation u put them on… And they know how to get on ur nerve’s… Even the atmosphere and surrounding matters a lot.. Coz u might be doing all the above and still other people in the house does the reverse than ur kids starts questioning methods… Trying to handle a 4yrs old son.
MashaAllah, a good article.
I pray Allah grant me children so dat I can impose dis method on dem, Dis article is very wow
JazakALLAH o khair wa Ahsan ul Jaza ….Very beautiful article dear, Thanks for sharing