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Establish discipline at home

As a parent, grandparent or guardian, you are your child's first teacher. Model good discipline by showing self-control and respect for others, and by doing what needs to be done to provide a safe and secure home for your children.

Here are some other tips:

Keep rules simple and understandable.
Make it clear in advance what your children can expect if they break a rule.
Praise your children when they make an extra effort to help around the house or show consideration for another person.
Involve your children in setting some family rules. Children are less likely to break a rule that they helped to decide in the first place.

A good starting point is:

It's against the rules to hurt others.
It's against the rules to hurt yourself.
It's against the rules to hurt things.

Respond quickly to discipline problems.

If your child is becoming out of control at home, seek help. Teachers, counselors, religious leaders, neighbors and others in your community can offer advice and support. Don't be afraid or ashamed to turn to others.

Additional Resources

Discipline - American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology

Disciplining Your Child - Kids Health

Positive Discipline - A Guide for Parents looks at some of the common parenting challenges you may face from birth through early elementary school, University of Minnesota and Children's Hospitals and Clinics.

Also available in: Hmong | Somali | Spanish

Positive Parenting.com - Peace begins at home.

January 2006 - Self-Discipline May Beat Smarts as Key to Success, Washington Post.