Punishment versus Discipline

Punishment versus Discipline

There is a big difference between punishment and discipline.  Our goal is to help them learn to make wise choices, not momentary pleasure but choices that help them for the future.  And home is where it begins. While children are young, parents have the power to influence how they behave.  Parents have the opportunity to build a child’s character.  Proverbs 22:6 commands us to “train up a child in the way he should go…”

I would like to share with you the following excerpt on punishment versus discipline. This idea was taken from the book Home Improvement, The Parenting Book You Can Read to Your Kids by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN BSN

“Punishment gives a negative consequence, but discipline means "to teach." Punishment is negative; discipline is positive. Punishment focuses on past misdeeds. Discipline focuses on future good deeds. Punishment is often motivated by anger. Discipline is motivated by love. Punishment focuses on justice to balance the scales. Discipline focuses on teaching, to prepare for next time.

The child who teases relentlessly, the child who whines for a snack, and the child who bickers with his brother all have one thing in common: a need to change patterns of behavior and a need to change the heart. Some parents only use punishment or anger to motivate their children to act differently. This attitude says, "If I just point out the problem enough times, he'll eventually change."

What these kids really need is firm correction with a positive focus. Be sure to tell your children what they should do in place of the unwanted behavior. Teach them right responses to replace the negative ones. Have them practice doing the right thing before they are free to go. It takes more work to discipline instead of punish but the rewards are certainly worth it. Children grow and develop new patterns of healthy responses.”