Child Discipline. How many times have you heard someone say, "What are you supposed to do? Children don't come with a manual!" Nowadays, they don't have to. It seems like there's a parenting expert on every corner.
- There are all sorts of parenting styles - like "helicopter" and "drill sergeant" parenting. (The only ones I can think of are the ones you're not supposed to do...)
- There are different classes and methods you can follow - "Parenting with Love and Logic," "Teaching Children Joy," and "The Total Transformation." (Yup, I've tried them all...)
- And there are always new parenting techniques - spanking is out, time-out is in.
A century ago, none of these experts were available - but even then, people still came up with parenting ideas. (Remember "children should be seen and not heard"?)
I suppose child discipline has been discussed in every play group, at every quilting bee, and around every cook pot since time began.
But it all boils down to this - what works well for one child, doesn't work for the next - and we all have to figure it out for ourselves.
Henry and Naomi Heninger faced parenting challenges just like we all do...here's what they did.
Henry and Naomi raised their family of ten children in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Shortly after their 6th child was born in 1897, Henry was called to serve an LDS mission, leaving Naomi to take care of the farm and family.
Their oldest son, Lorin, was only nine years old - but still expected to do his share around the farm. Naomi's younger brothers lived nearby, and they would also come to help.
One day the "helpers" were doing their farm chores, and got to playing. They started chasing the pig - and chased it until it fell down dead.
What was Naomi to do? How do you discipline (punish) children for killing a pig?
She did the only thing she could do. She cut out large letters spelling "Pig Killers" and pasted them on the their foreheads.
Why have I never thought of that?
After Henry came home from his mission, he stepped in to help with parenting.
Henry was well-known for his lengthy prayers. One night during the family prayer, some of the boys started getting bored and unruly, giggling and poking each other. Henry stopped praying and walked over to the kindling pile. He came back, swatted each boy's behind with a piece of kindling - then knelt down and continued his prayer right where he left off.
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One traditional parenting method was to sit the child in the corner in the pouting chair. This is Miles pouting in my pouting chair.
My Mommy's kind-of short you see,
She bought this chair for her, not me.
It helps her reach the things up high,
Without it she wouldn't even try.
It looks like a chair as you can see,
Now she uses it for me.
When I'm bad she makes me sit,
In the corner, facing it.
I usually cry when I'm there,
That's why it's called my pouting chair.
-Anonymous-
Here's a list of some other parenting techniques I've heard of (or tried...or had tried on me!):
- Go to bed without supper.
- Stay at the table until you finish your supper.
- Sit in the corner.
- Time out.
- Grounding.
- Wash your mouth out with soap.
- Extra chores.
- Bribery.
What did your ancestors do to discipline their children? How about you? I hope you'll leave me a comment and help me add to my list! Just click on comments below, and follow the instructions!
More pouters....
