I first wrote this article several years ago, when my girls were just babies. I was thinking through all the ways I had disciplined my boys and what I would do the same or different with the girls.
Then at around age three, my oldest girl quickly showed me that none of those old methods would work with her. At all.
So, I found a better way. I threw all those traditional parenting methods out the window.
If you’re curious to learn how your most challenging kids can make you the best parent, read more here about how I completely changed my parenting methods after 19 years!
2 Comments
Heather Erickson · April 9, 2018 at 5:45 pm
I think you are right on the money here. Also, Boys and girls do respond differently to different types of discipline. There are also different personalities that influence their responses. My youngest is on the spectrum, so harsh punishment is counter-productive, while rewards are great incentives. My oldest never wanted to disappoint and we could talk through things. My middle child seemed to push everything to the point of a spanking, but if I had it to do over again, I would deal with it differently. Hindsight is 20/20, right? You’re doing a great job!
amyjo0669 · April 9, 2018 at 11:58 pm
Thanks, Heather! Yes, each one is so different in their needs and how they respond to discipline. It takes some trial and error, doesn’t it? And that’s what makes it so difficult at times. The best we can do is ask God for wisdom and trust him with the rest.