Description
As we are now very aware, we all have a unique culture we grow up in.
In order to become clear about guidance and discipline of the families in our care it is helpful to revisit our own experience-the ways in which we were parented in terms of discipline and guidance.
When we disagree with parents about their discipline strategies it is often because we feel their child’s behavior needs work. It is helpful to try to understand the reasons why they discipline in the ways they do. It helps us to understand more to think about our own childhood and the way our parents disciplined and guided us.
As a child were you trained to fit in or to stand out? Was it more important to be part of the larger family group or were you encouraged to excel and stand out for your achievements?
Were you taught to value your possessions and to value ownership of items or
were you taught that sharing is very important and everything belonged to all
family members?
Were you encouraged to express your feelings, including frustration and anger in your family? If not, what do you remember about this?
What types of discipline did your parents or guardians use? Were you punished by the use of time-outs, spankings, or withdrawal of privileges/restriction?
Did your parents use their own disappointment as a tool to get you to improve your behavior? As a child did you fear getting into trouble?
What else do you remember about the ways in which you were parented and disciplined? Was the discipline fair in your view? If you had siblings were they all treated the same way that you were treated?
If you are a parent, are you continuing these same discipline techniques that you grew up with? If you are not a parent, do you think you would discipline in the same ways or discipline differently?
