Something someone said the other week has been on my mind. It was something like, "You don't reward for proper behavior do you?" As a matter of fact, I can't imagine parenting where you don't affirm good behavior. If I ask David to do something and he does it, I thank him for being a good listener. The only other way to parent would be all in the negative, punish for bad behavior and ignore good behavior. Why would anyone want to do that? Who's going to pay for the child's therapy bills when they grow up with a parent that only gives them negative attention?



6 Comments:
Hmm...I can't imagine not rewarding for proper behavior, either. At least not in the verbal praise sense. Natalie recently learned how to clean up her toys, and having us clap and say encouraging things the first few times she did it really seems to have set it in her mind that picking up after herself is a good thing.
I don't see how only looking at the negative would work. Then again from day one with Jeremy I always tried to be positive and loving - the whole idea you get more flies with honey.
Not to compare parenting to raising a dog, but seriously, if you're teaching your dog to sit and they do it, you give them a treat. No one thinks THAT is strange...affirming a dog's good behavior, but with children it's somehow different? I should think children are far more special and important than dogs. Possitive affirmation is very important...
Hey, I haven't seen you on CF in a while. Are you doing OK?
I'm not posting on CF either permenantly or temporarily, we'll see. I'm going to be busy this semester and I am not in the mood to continually defend my parenting. Actually the comment mentioned in this post was one of the last straws.... it was in response to my post and it annoyed me that I always have to hear the constant negativity. I just don't have time for their negative view on parenting and children right now. So I'll be posting at GCM instead with my free time.
I was wondering why you stopped posting! I don't blame you, it's the same reason I took a long break earlier. It is exhausting just trying to live normal life.....I don't understand why there are so many people that turn almost every discussion into a debate, argument, or attack. I'm seeing how things go at this point. Glad to see all is well for you....
Enjoy your family!
(Christdefinesme)
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