If you haven't disciplined your child....?

Question

And decide that at the age of 4-5 or so you are going to start setting some ground rules and be tougher on them do you think it is too late and it's a lost cause?

Answer 1

No its never too late, but I think for the safety and well being of the children discipline should start at an early age.

I've heard of kids who didn't feel loved because they didn't receive discipline at home. Society has rules for everyone, everyone has to answer to someone, so kids should learn that at an early age. I also tell my kids that for every action there is a reaction. If they do something good, they are rewarded (I have a prize box). If they do something inappropriate, they are punished. I usually take away privileges for big things, timeouts for little things.

Answer 2

It's never too late, but waiting til a child is 4 or 5 to begin setting limits does make the job harder for both of you. It's hard for your child to adjust to new rules. They will probably do a lot of testing to see if you really mean it and to see if you will crumble when they pitch an all out tantrum. It's hard for you, too, because you have to remain consistant where you haven't been before. As I said, your child will try every trick in the book to see if they can find your breaking point. It's not easy to say no to your child when their little eyes puddle up, or when they scream, "I hate You!"
But remember, you're the adult, you're a guide. If the line leader is lost, what good are they to the rest of the line?
As I said, it's never too late. I'm a teacher, and I have had many spoiled rotten children enter my classroom on the first day of school. It takes a while to get it through their little heads that my rules are fair, but firm. If they stray, they pay. By the end of the school year, they have changed remarkably, in fact, they have come to respect me and themselves. With behavior problems out of the way, we enjoy each other and learn a great deal. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch the "Super Nanny" program on TV. I'm very much like Jo. And if you watch it, you'll see the children are happier with structure in their lives. And they know they are loved. Discipline doesn't mean being mean, it means being strong.

Answer 3

It's never a lost cause to discipline your children no matter their age, but it will be lot harder to just all of a sudden make a big change like that. In a perfect world, every parent sets boundaries and limits for their children and makes them behave, but unfortunately there are so many that do not feel it is important until it's "too late" so they don't even bother. I wish more parents would be firm and consistent with their children, but there is no doubt in my mind that it's better late than never.

Answer 4

Not too late but it will take a lot of consistency. I would only set one rule at a time though, too many might be overwhelming and more difficult for the child to get used to. For instance, one week start with a consistant bedtime. Next week add table manners, etc. And if you can teach in a way that is fun and positive instead of with militant style he or she might be more recpetive. Positive reenforcement like a sticker chart for good behavior might also work well at this age. Good luck!

Answer 5

it rather is basically as important to reward you youngster for stable habit because it rather is to self-discipline them for undesirable. the style you do the two will replace with the aid of fact the youngster a while. toddlers are not getting self-discipline. They cry and it will difficulty you and that's basically tuff on account that's what you signed up for. while they commence doing issues like pulling your hair or grabbing your jewelery it rather is to no longer be undesirable, it rather is basically interest. while a newborn is two-3ish it rather is important to be certain who's in cost with the aid of fact some babies will attempt you to work out basically how lots they might get away with. First you should by no skill basically circulate spank a newborn while they do some thing incorrect. they should income NO first and it might paintings properly to furnish them some thing else to do. An *** beating that will strengthen welts and leaves hand prints is by no skill appropriate or called for yet while a newborn has been warned to no longer do some thing and that they defiantly do it besides they want a swat or 2 on the butt. in case you call them and that they run faraway from you, comparable element. Then while the crying stops you frivolously take a seat with the youngster and tell them why they might't try this. clarify why some thing may be risky. in case you spanked your newborn then you certainly extra appropriate have a stable rationalization for it. Even toddlers can comprehend extra desirable than maximum folk think of. Giving solutions like "with the aid of fact I stated so" does not clarify something. asserting "considering which you should get injury" or "you may smash some thing" will make extra sense to them and supply them appropriate regulations. you like your newborn to have the flexibility to come to a decision on precise and incorrect on their very own so provide them the understanding to try this. I actual have 2 grownup babies. each of them replaced into spanked an entire of two times. They mandatory it. After that every person I had to do is ask them in the event that they mandatory yet another. considering that we already primary that I wasn't bluffing, they often did no longer push the difficulty. I by no skill had to do it lower back.

Answer 6

A lot of cognitive change happens at around 4 to 5, so in some ways you're dealing with a different animal than before.
If you're talking about deciding they are going to need to start putting away their toys or having regular mealtimes and regular bedtimes, then getting them onboard with such changes wouldn't be too hard, but if you're talking about letting them tear up the neighborhood and beat up kids on the playground and now you've had enough, then you're possibly in a tough spot. In any case, gentleness with the new firmness will be especially important for both of you.

Answer 7

It would be more ideal to start at an earlier age, but it's not too late. You have set your ground rules and stick to them. You can't enforce them one day and not the other or your child will never understand. Good Luck.

Answer 8

I dont think it is too late but when you set these rules you have to be very consistent and stick to them strictly and have some daily routines children can get used to. For i.e going to sleep, eating breakfast, getting up, all sorts of things. Even having children participating with cleaning will get them into having responsibilities and rewarding them once in a while.

Answer 9

It is never to late to discipline your child. The sooner the better of course but your children are still young. Just remember You are the adult NOT them, YOU are in charge. Just stay consistent and steadfast. Never second guess yourself in front of them. Rewards for good behavoir help but that should not be over used or it has no effect. You set the example on how your children behave.

Answer 10

“Discipline is a symbol of caring to a child. He needs guidance. If there is love, there is no such thing as being too tough with a child. A parent must also not be afraid to hang himself. If you have never been hated by your child, you have never been a parent.”
Bette Davis quote (but hey, that was Bette Davis....take it for what it's worth)

“We're going to raise a lost generation of children unless they are properly disciplined and properly spanked.”
Charles Eddie Wiseman quote