On Raising and Disciplining and Loving Our Kids

I've been thinking a lot about discipline lately, especially in light of a recent event where a father whipped his two daughters so badly that it left them with scars and open wounds. My stance? That's clearly abuse and he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for it. And... corporal punishment is the most ineffective way to discipline a child. And... asserting your power by hitting kids to get them to comply is wrong. Point blank. Period. That's my view and I'm really not up for debating it.

But this entire ordeal has me thinking about what it takes to raise socially-competent, intelligent, self-aware, caring kids who will be successful at whatsoever field they pursue. And it keeps bringing me back to this poem.

Read it. Think on it. And be inspired...

If I Had To Raise My Kid All Over Again
By Diane Loomans

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self esteem first, and the house later.
I'd fingerpaint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd model less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.

Have a great weekend!