4 . It damages the parent-child relationship . Threats have no place in a healthy , trusting relationship , and it ’ s only through a healthy , trusting relationship that you will have any influence as your child grows . Don ’ t squander it on a temporary hoax for momentary compliance .
The best way to have a well-behaved child is to help your child feel good about herself . Children who feel good – who feel seen , heard , accepted , and unconditionally loved – naturally behave better because they don ’ t have the negative emotions that drive poor behavior . Children who trust and respect their parents want to make good choices . Telling children that they ’ re on the naughty list makes them feel like they ’ re bad people , and those who believe they are bad will act accordingly . Let ’ s drop the “ naughty or nice ” routine and allow our children to feel the joy of Christmas .
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