Self-Discipline

from the mom

I am not one of those "spanking is the only way" parents but we have noticed it is the most effective form of correction with Ben. In fact, M and I have noticed that our son actually enjoys discipline. He will be engaging in some form of unacceptable behavior and one of us will ask "Do you want a spanking?" Generally the answer is "yes." Naptime is especially interesting. "Time to go upstairs for a nap Ben." He will proceed to whine, fuss and refuse to climb the stairs. I then give him a spanking, which I do not consider to be a frivolous thing. He will then give me a "love" and happily climb the stairs. Not really the response I expected.

We're really working on the concept of coming immediately when called. My nerves are shot from trips to the park where he wanders too close to the road and then dawdles when called. So we've started disciplining when he doesn't respond immediately.

Yesterday I asked him to come to me for something. He looked up and gave me quite the look and then proceeded to spank himself. I could imagine him saying, "I'm not coming but let me save you the trouble of coming to spank me." Today, he engaged in some very unacceptable behavior and then immediately began swatting his upper leg.

I had hoped he would learn self-discipline early (since I'm still working on it) but this is hardly what I had in mind.