Teaching my boys respect through discipline

5d ago1 min read

My 10 year old got mouthy with his mother last week and I had to have a real talk with him about respect. Not beating him down but making clear that how you speak to your elders matters. He's a good kid but needed the reminder. I grew up getting my butt whooped for that kind of behavior and while I don't do that I do believe in consequences and real conversations. Too many kids today don't understand that respect is earned AND it's owed to people above you in hierarchy. Anyone else trying to instill this in their kids?

10 comments185 views

Comments(10)

BBrandonNew Dad4d ago

There's a big difference between discipline and punishment. Sounds like you had a real conversation about respect which is way more valuable than just coming down hard on him. That's good parenting right there.

PPhil M.New Dad3d ago

This is the stuff nobody prepares you for. My oldest is hitting that age soon and I'm already dreading these conversations.

BBrianRegular3d ago

Sometimes they need to hear it and know you mean it. Being mouthy to his mom is a line that shouldn't get crossed. Sounds like you handled the conversation the right way though, not just venting anger.

AAlexRegular5d ago

How'd the talk go? Sometimes at 10 they're at that age where they're testing boundaries hard. Hope it stuck with him.

BBrianRegular5d ago

That's a tough situation but the right call. Kids need to know that talking back to mom has consequences. I had the same conversation with my oldest a few months ago and it actually helped reset his attitude. How'd he take it?

SSam T.Regular5d ago

10 is such a weird age where they think they're too cool to listen but still need to learn respect. The fact that you had a real talk instead of just punishing him says a lot. That's the stuff that actually sticks with them long term.

CChris M.New Dad5d ago

That's the tricky part of parenting right there. Discipline without crushing their spirit. It sounds like you did it though. The talk is sometimes more powerful than any punishment.

RRyanRegular5d ago

The hard part is teaching them that mouthing off to mom has real consequences without being so harsh that they just resent you for it. Did you let him know it was about his attitude toward his mother specifically?

MMarcoNew Dad5d ago

This is the kind of stuff that separates good parenting from just letting them walk all over you. My wife and I always back each other up on discipline because the second they see a crack in the door, they'll push through it. Sounds like you handled it right.

VVincentRegular4d ago

That's a tough conversation to have but necessary. My kid tested me the same way around that age and I realized I had to be consistent with consequences. How did he take the talk?