Frustrated with Disciplining Your Children?

All of us have watched children manipulate and even torment their parents through poor behavior and flat out disobedience.  Many times the parents willfully neglect to discipline their children or they issue multiple empty promises and warnings.  This ultimately brings high frustration to the parents and to those who must endure the poor behavior.

As Christian parents, we have the responsibility to shape the hearts of our children that govern their behaviors.  Parents must be united and support one another in their parenting practices.  Without this support, the child not only rules the home but the trust and commitment to the marriage relationship to one another is fractured. I do believe that discipline is actually instruction and at times both negative and positive reinforcement are necessary.   Proverbs tells us that, "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away" (Proverbs 22:15).  We are also told, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:16).  These are both positive and negative ways to discipline (instruct).  These are proverbs that generally hold true as we practice them with our children.

Here are some principles to help enforce good child discipline.   

1. As you discipline be practical.  Children need to know exactly what you expect from them~~they are not adults.
2. Focus on the heart~~ Don't settle for behavior modification alone.  Look for ways to influence heart change and for your child to understand how they have sinned and pursue forgiveness to those offended and God.
3. Don't discipline while you're angry.  Take the time to allow God to work in your heart and practice godly behavior in front of your children.  Show Christ's love while instructing them.
4. Be Biblical.  God's Word has strategies and answers for the issues that families face.  Trust in His promises and discipline in the power of the Holy Spirit--not your own power.
5.  Look for adult solutions to your child's problems.  Remember, the answers to their problems are the same as ours.  Look for the adult solution and then break it down for your child's developmental stage. 

There is much more to parenting but sometimes parenting takes the best that we have and know.  Seek help and input from those who are parenting well or grandparents who have given their life to parenting already.  Choose a good book recommended by your pastor or a Christian friend.  Above anything else, remember that you are working with a child's heart that is made in the image of God.  Treasure the gift of parenting and don't give up!  Go to your Heavenly Father for wisdom, endurance, patience, and the love that you need to shepherd your child's heart better.