Exercising of authority involves keeping a close check on a child to be able to trim his or her excesses. Discipline is one of the tools employed in this instance.

It has become glaring that “children brought up by loving but authoritative parents, such that are supportive of their children, yet maintain firm limit, excel academically, develop better social skills, feel good about themselves and are happier than children whose parents are either too lenient or excessively harsh” according to Parents Magazine

From babyhood through teenage, children are known to challenge daddy and Mummy’s right to exert authority over them. This accounts for why they quickly exploit any avenue that exposes the parents’ weakness to show their own supremacy. However, standing up to your feet to impress it on them that you remain the boss of the house, cows them down.

Never mind that you’ve got to be firm to your loved child, that you will alienate him or crush his spirit if you exercise your authority, No! You can exercise your authority without becoming a tyrant. The policy of disciplining with one hand and drawing closer with another will help a great deal, in love, let the child know why he is being disciplined.

In defining the family rules and the need to enforce them promptly; children though are small, they have their minds and desires, besides, they have an inborn tendency to sin.

These traits must be vehementaly challenged by designing rules and consequences and making sure that the later is upheld promptly for without that it is difficult to achieve your aim. Never for any reason relax in punishing any contravener, ofcourse that must be done in a calm, firm and consistent manner. If you are highly angry, wait for your anger to calm down before you administer any disciplinary action otherwise, you may do it wrongly.

Establishing and maintaining routines must not be handled with levity. Living in a time when people are deeply engrossed in their pursuit of material wealth, it becomes obviously difficult to maintain this aspect of parenting.

However, it takes discipline and determination on the part of the adult to do it. Routines are a major part of adult life. Work, worship and even recreation usually follow set rountine.

The children become handicapped when they are not exposed to structuring their time and taught to stick to a schedule.

Studies also show that having rules and structures makes a child feel safe and secure and teaches self-control and self-reliance.

Children by their nature, like freedom and total freedom we are told, potend danger, so,to eat, when to sleep day and night), when to study and when to go for recreation.

This must be closely monitored to ensure full compliance.

Acknowleding your child’s feelings: Every child no doubt expresses his feeling and emotions in one way or the other. Parents must create the impression that children are humans too that deserve attention, they need to be heared and attended to accordingly.

However, when negative feelings or emotions are expressed, parents must wisely and gently convince them to drop or discard such negative feelings.

Children are easily wary of parents who habitually contradicts them when their feelings are expressed. They will be less likely to open up to them as well as start doubting their ability to feel and think for themselves.

Above all, every parent must endeavour to be a role model. Copying parents is “one of the most powerful ways that children learn”, says Dr. Sal Severe, an author, what the parent verbally tells the children does not impact half as much as their action does on the them hence the need to always do what is right before them.

Parents must appologise to their children when they are at fault. This teaches the child to also say “I’m sorry” when he contravenes. You are under the watchful eyes of your children, so, be wise!

Sylvia ThankGod Amadi