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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