Parenting & Discipline

Merriam-Webster's dictionary lists the definition of discipline as:

1. punishment

2. obsolete: instruction

3. a field of study

4. training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character

Why is punishment listed as the first definition and the Latin root meaning to teach has become obsolete?

I suspect that this description perfectly mirrors the current mainstream thinking surrounding parenting, in which generation after generation has passed down discipline advice and techniques based on cycles of punishments and rewards, dangling carrots and taking away privileges and love in an attempt to modify behavior.

This philosophy of discipline has not taken us very far.

And clearly, many of us are still frustrated!

What kind of results could we expect if parents, teachers and caregivers began to re-associate the word discipline with its root: instruction and then implemented that association into their parenting and discipline strategies?

Ultimately, we want to teach our children how to live in the world, explore, be creative, compassionate, learn appropriate expressions of emotion and think for themselves - but we must realize that we cannot achieve this by ordering children into compliance or forcing our will.

So, why do we continually reduce our parenting to discipline techniques that control and manipulate unnecessarily?

Why do we feel we need to constantly evaluate children's behavior as good or bad?

You want to give your child the best opportunity to grow into a self-reliant, happy adult! To do so, we must being by removing our obstacles - blame, shame, judgment and guilt!

The child, especially, learns to become the kind
of human being that he or she has experienced.
-Ashley Montagu

There are core differences between the way the Old Parenting Paradigm (Traditional) views parenting discipline and the way the New Parenting Paradigm (Conscious) views it.

It is necessary to explore these concepts in order to shift your thinking about child rearing. Read More>>

The brain science surrounding child development has exploded in the last 15 years. It is almost impossible to continue perpetuating the negative cycles of the traditional paradigm once you understand how and why your child acts the way s/he does. Read More>>

The first question most parents ask after learning about Conscious Parenting is "Okay I get it, but what do I do?" Read More>>

Did you know that varying your parenting style can influence your experience and relationship with your child.

• What's Your Parenting Style? Take the QUIZ to find out!


• Find out how your parenting style may interfere with building a close relationship with your child.