Discipline may be considered a form of art to some people, while to some – well, it’s a call of duty. Parents, especially first timers, find this very challenging since it’s more likely that on the onset of anticipating their first born, they have already set ideals on how they want to raise their child.

Some actually say that discipline begins during infancy. Feeding time and how parents pacify their children are the immediate reflections on how discipline will be imposed on their children. Some think this is not ideal for the baby since this is the time when parents should not limit feeding time and what-have-you in terms of caring for their little ones. Although there is a downside to this: parents who follow this sleep less than those who impose the former. More importantly, there is a bigger chance that the baby will become overweight over time.

Patience should be stretched without reluctance when children become toddlers. This is a great period of adjustment for both the parents and the child as the toddler starts to explore more and displays unlimited curiosity to his environment.  Most toddlers actually thrown tantrums and if this happens, it is important that the parents uphold maximum tolerance for the toddler and avoid letting out any physical form discipline like spanking and pinching. Every individual has different interpretations for such physical acts and the last thing we want is for the toddler to get the wrong message, which is sometimes carried on and manifested during his adolescence. Parents must find time to discuss the importance of behaving properly to their toddlers and make sure that it is explained on a level they will understand.

Discipline on children does not follow a straight rule. It should be flexible and able to adapt to the constantly changing circumstances that arise from the various situations that parents and children face along the way. The bottomline is, parents should be able to recognize the different avenues to impose discipline on their kids. After all, respect among parents and their kids begins where discipline has been established.