These are some of the ways parents can teach their children self-discipline skills.

1. Lead By Example.

A good parent would lead by showing good example. You have to practice what you preach, it shows that self-discipline is important to you. Maybe you and your family are saving for a vacation to Obudu cattle ranch and your kids asks you to bring home fast food, remind them of the family goal, put the money in your savings jar and cook at home. Denying yourself in front of them will help them see what self-discipline looks like and the reward of reaching set goals.

2. Set Down Few Rules.

Start with only few rules, remember they are children, the more rules you set, the more difficult it would be for them to remember. Start with morning routine, which includes brushing their teeth, bathing, combing their hair, and saying thank you after every meal. After they have mastered the morning routine, you can teach them afternoon and bedtime routine. Set a bedtime, develop a routine which covers all the necessary bedtime tasks and work at getting your child to stay in bed without Mom or Dad falling asleep in the room. Basically, the first rules to set are those things they will be doing daily and after establishing these rules, parents should make their child understand the consequences of breaking them. This teaches kids what to expect and they will be better equipped to make healthy choices.

3. Be Consistent.

Now that you have set down rules, you have to be consistent with the manner you discipline your child. A well-established and understood set of rules with defined consequences tend to work the best. If one time your child uses an offensive word at home, you just laughed, and the next time (perhaps in company of friends or neighbors) you impose a punishment or other choice, the child will become confused and not know what is expected. Being consistent in child discipline is the best way to teach them what is or is not an acceptable behavior.

4. Do Not Bribe Kids.

Use Consequences I was at shop-rite some weeks ago, when a parent picked up a candy bar and gave her child that was throwing tantrums because she wanted one. It seemed harmless, but if parents give in to such demands time after time, knowing that it is not good, the child is taught to satisfy her desires by reward. Bribing teaches a child that they get a reward if they act inappropriately first, and then change their behaviour. But we want them to act appropriately the first time, therefore praise them when they act right, give them more attention, and you can also give them rewards for acting right (a new toy/dress). Children do best when they receive immediate feedback or consequences for their positive and negative behaviours. Consequences should be used to discipline your child without shaming.

5. Teach Your Child Contentment.

Our society is changing day by day. Teach your child to be satisfied with what they have. Our children will see new toys with their friends and want to have the same, regardless of your family income or attitude. It is our responsibility to teach them that they can not have everything, rather teach them to focus less on what other people have and more on preserving and cherishing what they have. Contentment results in waiting, waiting helps children learn self-control. It teaches them that others have needs too. Playing with friends also offers many opportunities to help your child learn to wait, to share, and to take-turns. With your guidance and lots of practice, your child will be well equipped to work out conflicts with his school pals or classmates.

6. Teach Your Child to Pray Prayer is a basic foundation of a Christian’s relationship with God.

For those of us that are not Christians, teach them to believe in something. My work is not to judge anyone but to make us have reverence for the maker and creator of the universe. If you are not a Christian, teach them to respect the religion or beliefs of their classmates, neighbour or teachers as the case maybe. Children need to know early in their lives that they can talk to God just like they talk to Mommy, Daddy, or a best friend. They need to understand that God is there and attentive to what they have to say.

These are some of the basic ways to teach our children discipline. I am sure every parent wants their children to be happy, respectful, respected by others, and able to find their place in the world as well-behaved adults. Nobody wants to be accused of raising a spoiled brat. However, this would require work on our part as parents but will pay off tremendously in the end.

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FTC

Good points you've noted here.

Thank you

Good stuff and deeply rooted message.

But for the number 6, I'll not teach my ward how to pray or bring them up in the manner or stipulated principles of any organized religion. Would let him/her grow up to an adult and decide on which faith they decide to adhere to or otherwise. I think they deserve that choice.

God bless you OP. You hit the spot.....