It is necessary to start correcting it, but the guidance and scolding do not always work and, although the idea of punishment bothers and worries you, you wonder if it will not be necessary.
HERE IS THE ANSWER
With children, the rules of the game have to be very clear and the authority that the parents exercise must not leave room for doubt . If the little ones ignore either one, it is time to think of a more effective method.
First… you need to make sure that you were clear and consistent in the directions. For example, tell him:
“This is not touched because Mom needs it to do her job; if you take it, she will not be able to do her tasks and may have problems. If you do it again we have to punish you until you understand. Can you repeat what I told you? “
Second … you must remain calm to punish him from a good place, if that is the case. In other words, if you let yourself be carried away by anger, despair or frustration, the most likely didactic intention that a positive punishment should have is lost.
In addition, from an uncontrolled emotion you could put exaggerated corrections and that will also be almost impossible to comply with: “You will never visit your cousin again”, “I will absolutely punish all your toys”, “The ice cream is over for you”. Remember that punishments must be consequences, so you do need to carry them out.
Third … while taking a breath, ask yourself:
- Why is this wrong with my son?
- What are the actual consequences of your behavior?
- On a scale of 1 to 5, how serious is what happened?
- Have I warned you before that if you do this you will be punished?
- What kind of punishment would allow you to realize that this is wrong?
This will give you time to put things in perspective and make better decisions.