The next point up on my mind and hear this go around focuses on consistency. I know that will sound similar to Day 1 (Constant Vigilance), but I do intend to focus on something a bit different here.
Day 1 was planting the seed on how important it is to be there. To focus on maximizing how often you are there to catch behavior that is not consistent with your nugget’s true self.
Here I would like you to focus on consistent responses to disobedience. What I mean is that, as much as is it possible while being realistic, your child should know the discipline coming when they cross a line. Eventually they will even think about it ahead of time.
My classic example I have used a lot here is the following:
“Billy bob, please stop jumping on the couch………. Billy Bob I asked you to pretty please stop jumping on the couch……………………… Billy Bob………………………………… BILLY FRANCIS BOB FRANKLIN! AAGGHHHHH!!!! <insert_more_hysteria_and_screaming_and_over_the_top_discipline_here>“.
However, even worse than that example, you will see parents completely ignore behavior and then snap and discipline on the 14th time a child does something. Kids either shutdown in environments or, more likely, just ignore the haphazard discipline.
Realistically, there will be situations where a child did know they were crossing a line based on the fundamentals of all the other rules. Even if not explicitly spelled out ahead of time discipline should be administered here. However most of the time everyone knows what time it is, or should. Most situations are repeat.
I have mentioned this elsewhere, but the younger a child is the more important this is. Make sure you are not rationalizing excuses why a child should not receive discipline “this time”. As children get older and can be reasoned with, even at Lilly’s current age, I have seen times when the Holy Spirit makes it clear to us in that still small voice to show extra mercy in a situation. However this is light years away from withholding discipline for sympathy type reasons. Every time you address a situation consistently you are sending a message. Every time you don’t you are sending a different message. This second case is unfair to tiny humans in your care.
You are going to do awesome and you will be very glad you took the time to do this the right way. I know we are…