How to ground your kids in an educational way
Grounding children can be extremely valuable in their education.
Just as they need the freedom to grow and learn, children also need rules and action limits to be imposed to guide their conduct. When these rules are violated systematically, then it’s time for your child to be responsible for these acts.
Grounding does not imply any type of physical or psychological violence on children, but rather an attempt to make them understand that their behavior was not correct. Groundings should be explained to children as a way to suffer the consequences of wrong acts, it must be applied to educate and guide future conduct, helping the child to grow better. Children need discipline and depending on the personality, it may be necessary in the form of grounding.
Try applying logical groundings, which are directly tied with the transgression committed, and not those that are not related to them. E.g., if your child misbehaves while cycling, apply a punishment that is directly linked with this theme, instead of the ban, for example, watching TV for a few days. Apply the grounding immediately, but try to clearly explain to the child why he or she is being grounded. Children need to know that they are not being grounded just because their parents felt like it. Don’t punish with ugly and negative words like: ugly, bad, dumb etc.
Use physical violence, or screams, with your child will just make her or him feel angry or afraid of you. If you have a habit of yelling, know that the child will eventually get used to them and stop responding. Calm down and apply the grounding calmly, without disclosing anger or irritation. The child may think you don’t like her.
Do not apply penalties with a very long duration. Depending on the age of the child and how long the grounding will last, your children may get distracted with what surround them and forget that they are grounded.
Do not ground for everything and anything. Let it just for situations that you consider more serious or wrong attitudes that persist. Groundings must be fair and proportionate to the actions committed. But if you choose to ground, stand firm and not back down; otherwise, you will lose credibility.
