An Act of Punishment for Discipline

Growing up, we faced strict discipline from our parents. One thing they detest from us is lying. If we did something bad, they expected us to tell the truth and admit we did it, even if they would still punish us. But we feel we could escape if we lied, but no, they have their ways of knowing whether we were lying or not and that act of not speaking the truth was what usually provoked them to beat the hell out of us.

For my mom, once we did something bad, we made no mistake moving close to her because she would use any object around her and if you were smart enough, you could dodge a big pot or a wooden turner stick coming straight to your forehead. Thank God those items were cheap then, she doesn't mind getting new ones.

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With the way we were strictly disciplined, my dad adopted one effective measure, one that helped shape us till today and during that time, we cooperated too, ensuring we were always putting on good behaviours.

My dad, after flogging us, most times without mercy, would then call us and ask why we thought he beat us that way. We already knew what we did so we would speak up with the reasons we got beaten or punished. Then he would ask if it was good as he flogged us, and we would negatively nod our heads.

Dad would then advise us not to do such a thing again. Even though we were always punished for other wrong things, we still were careful and conscious of listening to them and making sure we didn't keep getting flogged all the time.

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These days, most parents feel once they keep beating a child, it will help change him or her. But sometimes, all they need is corporal punishment and some soft talks which would help reset their brain. Corporal punishment is a great way to handle a child who feels he or she can do whatever he likes and goes out of the way to become a rebellious child.

Beating alone cannot help a child. Sometimes, all they need is some soothing words to pierce into their hearts while also praying to God for them to change.

I am not a parent yet but with my experience as a child and one who has grown to see how children are being handled around me, I wouldn't totally ignore physical punishment but would balance it with other measures in correcting my kids. They need to be handled carefully and if a child is only introduced to physical punishment consistently, they would be used to it. I would always bring up different measures they won't even expect and I believe they will learn the hard way.

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I will also adopt an effective method my late grandmother used on her children. My dad and aunts would always tell us how such method made them change forcefully. When they do something bad, they won't eat for a certain time. If grandma says they aren't eating all through the day, she meant it. One of my aunts told me how she went for 2 days without eating anything and Grandma stood by her words even when Grandpa kept persuading and begging her to reconsider.

She will make sure they do not eat any food till when she has felt calm. This was something my aunt used on me when I was living with her too even though my dad was against such an idea because he felt punishing a child to the extreme equals not giving them food which could be the worst punishment.

I love that method and I wouldn't mind doing that for my kids who did something bad just to correct them but not to the extreme though, also not neglecting the part of embracing them with love by talking and encouraging them. They need love too but parents shouldn't spare the rod when necessary.

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