If you’ve ever spent any time around preschoolers and toddlers, you know that they’re not really concerned about the way they act. This can make it challenging to get them to behave in certain situations, especially during the holidays when there’s excitement and sugar around every corner. And it turns out, some parents turn to desperate measures when they’re desperate to keep their little ones in line.
While plenty of parents know that consistent discipline and positive reinforcement are the best ways to shape their child’s behavior long-term, in the heat of the moment, they’ll try just about anything. A new survey of 725 American moms and dads with at least one child between the ages of one and five reveals:
- A quarter of parents admit they’ve used threats to manage their young kid’s behavior.
- One in four have threatened that Santa won’t come if their child doesn’t behave.
- Another 25% confess to threatening their three- to-five-year old with no Christmas presents if they’re being naughty.
- And four in 10 parents have spanked their child under the age of five for not behaving.
- Many more say they’ve threatened to leave an activity or to take away toys in an effort to get their child to not act up.
- Half of the parents polled rate themselves as “very consistent” when it comes to disciplining their child, a lot of them admit they struggle with consistency.
- Their biggest challenges include a child being too young to understand (49%), strategies not always working (42%) and moms and dads trying to avoid a public meltdown (31%).
“Discipline helps young children learn what behaviors are safe and appropriate and can play a crucial role in helping them learn the difference between right and wrong,” explains Dr. Susan Woolford, co-director of the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll. “Empty threats, however, undermine trust and credibility and aren’t usually effective.”
Source: Talker
Scott's Thoughts:
- Oh don’t judge, threats and bribes are a cornerstone of parenting!
- How could you NOT use this as one of the tools in your toolbelt for raising kids? I did!
- "Santa is watching" was a common one I used.