Discipline; a form of character formation

Every parent has different ways of disciplining their children. Some chose the option of punishment, while some preferred to scold them either by words or beating. While growing up, my parents used both punishment and beating. Anytime I make a mistake, I know I'm in for a punishment or a serious beating. I guess that's the typical way of disciplining their children for any African parent. There are several forms of beating, ranging from emergency slaps, pinching, and bombastic side eyes to beating with a cane. As a child, I boasted to my friends that my parents didn't beat me until I grew into a teenager. That was when I began to see the wrath of African parents. But nevertheless, their methods of discipline shaped my life into becoming a better version of myself.

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As good as their methods are, I would love to change some things and devise another means to discipline my children. We are in a technology age and due to the advancement in technology, children are now exposed to several technology gadgets either in school or the ones gotten for them by their parents for academic purposes. If I would take my parent's method, I would choose the one of not giving access to personal gadgets to access social media. There would be a general gadget available to access the Internet when need be but I would give a personal mobile phone or laptop till a certain age.

To discipline a child, one of the best methods is to quit access to social media. Recently, my younger brother has found it difficult to do any other things at home; he feels reluctant whenever he's asked to do any task, and he is always engrossed with his mobile phone. He's becoming addicted to the phone, and to discipline him, his phone has been seized for a month now. I don't know when it will be returned to him because once my dad decides on something to change his mind, it will be very difficult. My baby sister always provoked me, and she knew I didn't beat her; I don't really like giving children physical torture, and I don't want any child to go through what I went through while growing up. With her knowing fully well that I won't beat her, she will do things that will provoke me to punish her; anytime she misbehaves, I always stop talking to her, and I don't respond when she asks any questions then she would realize I'm mad at her and immediately apologized.

However, giving mild punishment isn't a bad idea because, at times, once she notices I'm not talking to her, she will apologize casually just for me to reply to her. Since I've noticed this, I deploy another means by telling her to kneel and raise her hands till she becomes sober. That's how much I can give her for her age, I don't want it to be I'm inflicting pain on her. As she grows, I will find other means of disciplining her. There are some children you can no longer beat or punish; the worst you can do is to talk with them, make them see reasons why they should listen, and make amendments. Share experiences with them of people who have done whatever it is they are doing and the result gotten from such acts. Beating at times doesn't change children; it makes them worse and inflicts pain on them physically, which is not so good. It's best to find other means that will get to them and make them realize their mistakes.

Thanks for your time and your comments will be appreciated.

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