Teaching tops punishment

We’ve all done it – issued a threat when a young child persists with behaviour we don’t like. We say stuff like ‘If you don’t stop hitting your sister, I’ll take away your toys’.

The trouble with threats is you either get defiance or sullen compliance from your child. So says parent coach Marian Byrne, who believes positive discipline is about teaching children what to do rather than punishing them for being ‘bold’.

“It’s not so much about teaching lessons as engaging their cooperation. Ultimately, the child wants the connection and feelgood factor of being in good relationship with you.”