Disciplining Children: How to Capture Your Child’s Heart

Disciplining children is vitally important. It is one of the most important things a parent can do when raising their child. Den. A. Trumbull, MD states in his article, “Discipline of the Child: an Overview,” that the “fundamental goal of parenting is to teach and assist the child in acquiring character traits such as self-control, teachability, respectfulness, integrity, honesty, and competency.” This goal is achieved through disciplining the child.

How to Discipline Your Child as a Foster Parent

While it is a constitutional fundamental right for a parent to raise their child as they see fit, parents require good judgement in administering discipline. There are limits in how “discipline” can be administered and what is considered “discipline.”

Foster parents are even more limited in how they can discipline the children in their care. In Alabama, there are standards for what care is required of a foster parent. Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-29-.04 lays out what foster parents may use as discipline and punishment. Foster parents shall: “(i) Use discipline as a positive educational influence which seeks to develop inner controls and provide structure [and] (ii) When appropriate, use positive reinforcement.” This section of the code also gives examples of what positive reinforcement is.

While this code section does not provide an exhaustive list of dos and don’ts, it is important to note that it cannot be harsh or humiliating punishment. This restriction also includes corporal punishment, physical abuse, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, and derogatory remarks.

Disciplining as a Grace

Effective discipline catches the child’s attention and redirects the heart to align with the parents’ values. It can look different between each household and even each child. Sometimes the most creative ways are the most effective. It is important to remember that the purpose of discipline is to correct and to teach children rather than vent frustration. It is to build the child up, not tear them down. Each parent has to decide how to discipline their own children. With foster families, there are more restrictions, so it is important to be mindful of this.

If you are a foster parent or are looking to be one and have questions, please call us today to discuss more. 334-546-2009