TVHP: “Naughty”… A Label You Don’t Want To Stick

I mentioned in my last article that I do not use the word “naughty”(or any other form of the word) when talking about, or to my son.

That does not mean that I do not discipline him.

It means I am very careful with the words I use to describe him and his actions.

Let me explain…

When I was younger my mom always taught me that what I say matters. Whether that be telling the truth, keeping your word, or how you talk to people.

I understood what she meant by that as I got older, but it took on a whole new meaning when I had my son.

I have realized that the words I say to him and about him matter. Whether that be how I explain a task to him, explain the meaing of something, or the words I use to describe him.

His father and I are the first people in his life that have an effect on his self- esteem and self- worth. We input into him a lot of the feelings he has about himself when he gets older. That is a very big responsibility we all have as parents. And I do not take that lightly.

What we say about him and the words we use to describe him will stick with him the rest of his life. That being said, I do not want the words “naughty” or “bad” to stick with him. Because he is not a “bad” or “naughty” boy. The actions that he chose in a moment do not define who he is. He is a little boy and he is learning. He is not bad for not knowing how to react when he gets mad. It is my job to teach him that.

So how do you discipline with love? Next time I will explain how.

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