Not knowing when or how to discipline or punish puts dads at a disadvantage when it comes time to do either.
Punishment vs. Discipline
| Punishment (Is) | Discipline (Is) |
| Fear | A Learning Act |
| Anger | Takes Creativity |
| Threatening | Restraint |
| Pain | Awareness |
| Retaliation | Self Control |
| Frustration | Requires you to coach |
See the difference? How did you react when you were punished as a child? How do you react when disciplined at work?
Understanding the difference between the two usually makes a difference in how you respond. As far as when to punish and when to discipline, you’ll have to figure that out on your own.
The rule in our house for punishment is pretty clear. If our kids do something to endanger themselves (like running into traffic, pointing a BB gun at someone or leaving us in a store), they will be punished. But making them aware of why they were punished adds the value of discipline. Learning how to use them both can bring a healthy balance to your relationship with your child.
