Kids tend to be mischievous (especially in the growing phase) and more often than not, instead of understanding them, parents tend to scold or hit their child to discipline them. But do you think this is the correct way to instill discipline in your little ones?
Hitting or scolding children should be avoided whenever possible, as it can hurt them emotionally and leave a negative impression on their young minds that can last a lifetime. Here are five reasons why you should refrain from scolding your kids.
1. They Will Imitate Your Actions
Kids imitate their parents; they take note of every action and word around them and incorporate it into their ever-evolving little brains. If you are reprimanding your kids for their mischief, they will surely do the same with others. They may start hitting their friends or say negative things to others when they make mistakes because they had a similar experience. In their minds, this is the right way to deal with others since you do it like that.
They might also hit or scold their child when they start parenting, as this is the disciplining method they have experienced in their childhood. Many studies have even shown that kids who frequently get spanked in their childhood are more likely to use aggression to handle conflicts in their adulthood.
2. Scolding May Negatively Impact Emotional Growth
Scolding and name-calling tirades can impact your kid’s mental growth, harming them psychologically. If you are someone who threatens to leave them if they don’t listen to you or refuse to speak to them because they are not behaving well, you might want to reassess your method of disciplining. As a result of negative discipline, your kids may start constantly fearing abandonment, leaving them mentally scarred which can last a lifetime.
3. Hitting Tends To Shatter Their Confidence
Kids tend to believe almost everything their parents tell them. Parents’ love is what helps them develop their self-image and self-confidence. If parents say their kids are the best, they would believe that. However, when they scold or hit their “best” child, it leaves them confused and they start believing that they might not be good enough. This negatively impacts their self-confidence, leading to them undervaluing their own existence.
4. Hitting or Scolding Does Not Discipline Kids
Contrary to popular belief, if you hit or scold a child, they won’t be more disciplined. However, in the process you will surely lose something precious, your bond with your little one. Hitting or scolding might make them listen to you the first couple of times, but what about after that? Gradually, they will not be affected by these anymore. They will slowly distance themselves from you, stop respecting you and might develop aggressive behavior overall. In short, scolding or hitting children will do more harm than good in the long term.
5. Scolding and Hitting Might Promote Anger Issues
Often kids think that they are being punished for no reason at all. They might even feel humiliated when you scold or hit them. This feeling of humiliation will fuel their anger, which eventually turns into rebellion. They will gradually stop bonding with you, keeping their distance from you to avoid conflicts altogether.
Getting angry due your kids’ misbehavior is quite normal, but before you hit or scold your child, take a few deep breaths, calm down and talk to them to understand the reason behind their actions. Try to explain to them why their course of action was wrong and how it could negatively impact them or the people around them. This way you will avoid creating a bad memory, ensuring your disciplining method doesn’t stunt their emotional development.
