Posted on November 4, 2019

Discipline: the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.

synonyms:

control, training, teaching, instruction, regulation, direction, order, authority, rule, strictness, a firm hand (Google)

I wanted to begin with the definition of discipline. When I googled the definition, this was the first definition to come up.

It seems for today's society this is a difficult subject for many. In my field of work, I see all too many parents who are not willing, too tired, or just not sure how to apply the definition of "discipline".

It's not about whether you spank or yell. It is not about positive vs negative discipline. It is about shaping the mind of a child to understand right from wrong. What happens when you don't follow the rules. Yes rules.

I know touchy subject but needed.

Why am I blogging about discipline? Well it has been on my mind for quite some time. I have seen too many children out of control at a young age. We blame it on their age or the possibility they are tired etc... When, if we really look at it the problem may not be the child.

When we fail to teach discipline at a young age it becomes harder to do when a child reaches adolescence.

I was leaving a store a couple days ago. As I walked to my car, to my horror I see a child about the age of 3 running full speed out of the store and straight into the parking lot. He is not looking for oncoming cars of course he’s 3. He darts into traffic and by the grace of God does not get hit. Well to make matters worse he is running around the parking lot for 2 minutes or more. Others and I are starting to wonder where are his parents? I stopped along with a couple other women. We're considering whether to approach the child or wait for his parent who is hopefully somewhere near.

She sees him and begins to scream for him not to cross the parking lot.

After waiting what seemed to long, we observe Mom coming out of the store on her cell phone! She is oblivious to the fact that her son is in danger of being hit by a car and as he is still running unchallenged through the busy parking lot. Her son now notices Mom. What do you think he is about to do? Yes, as you probably guested it! He headed back across the parking lot running to his Mom. She is still on the phone call and does not see him until he approaches the medium. Does she acknowledge the situation? Nope. She turns to speak to another child coming out of the store pushing a cart. This child is about 12 years of age (my guess).

Finally, the young child is making enough noise by calling out to her. She sees him and begins to scream for him not to cross the parking lot. Well... we all know if he is already running around without supervision, he is obviously not going to listen to her instructions.

He darts across the parking lot in front of cars, while she screams in horror. He laughs and approaches Mom safely. She returns to her phone call and continues as if nothing happened.

This baffled me. No reprimand, or conversation about what just happen? Clearly this child is not being taught discipline and when he is older may test more boundaries.

This is a common situation that is being played out today. Are we really that busy? Do we not have the time to discipline or instruct our children?

This is one of many stories I could tell. I am not looking to judge these parents. I’m more confused and concerned about why this has become all to common.

I have seen grown men chase their 2-year-old through the store, women allow their young child to stand and walk across furniture in a library or restaurant as they smile and say how cute. I have been hit and kicked by children who know no boundaries. All while parents stand idlily by and validate their child’s unruly behavior.

Don’t get me wrong children will make mistakes and do things we have not taught them to do. I just can’t wrap my head around the failure to discipline. There is so much information out there on ways to discipline according to your family and the standard of living you choose. It is just not an option to do nothing.

Tell me what you think?