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Discipline
By
Dr. Peter Nieman I
see a lot of tired parents in my office every day. Sometimes they’re tired
after long nights of looking after sick children, and sometimes they’re tired
of fighting wars. Their children may be healthy as horses, but the constant
fight to get them to obey wears even the most patient parent down over time. As
a pediatrician I get asked, almost everyday, to comment on discipline issues.
Generally speaking, I have two answers: 1.
“Whatever you do, be consistent.” 2.
“Read the discipline position paper I wrote for the Canadian Pediatric Society
(see www.caringforkids.cps.ca).” This
paper has many good ideas for disciplining your children. Keep in mind, though,
that the paper has been edited by peers. So, it doesn’t entirely reflect my
own views (which tend to be a little less liberal than the Canadian Pediatric
Society’s with regard to the controversy of spanking). A number of
pediatricians in the Canadian Pediatric Society would love to have spanking
completely banned; but, given the apparent increase in child abuse since the
anti-spanking law was put in place in Sweden, I believe that such a decision has
no merit. There’s
also another great resource available on the topic of discipline. I recently
reviewed a wonderful book for the Canadian Pediatric Society. It was written by
Dr. Kevin Lehman and it’s titled “Making Children Mind without Losing
Yours”. Dr. Lehman offers many ideas on how to discipline children safely and
well; thus, helping parents ultimately raise healthy adults. One line, in
particular, jumped out at me: “Discipline is how you live your life”. In
addition, Dr. Lehman makes suggestions on how to: §
foil finicky
eaters §
teach
responsibility through a method he calls “reality discipline” §
get kids to
do what you want them to do §
set suitable
allowances §
get the
parent back in the driver’s seat Dr
Lehman is an internationally known psychologist who lives in Tucson. He has
appeared on several radio and TV shows and, in my experience, his communications
are agile, peppered with honest humor and easy to understand. For
more information see his web sites: www.realfamilies.com www.couplesofpromise.com About Dr. Peter Nieman
About Dr. Peter Nieman Dr. Peter Nieman has been
practicing as a specialist with children for more than twenty years and has been
a pediatrician in Alberta since 1987. In addition to his medical experience, he
is also a parent who recognizes the challenges of raising healthy children. Dr. Peter Nieman obtained his
undergraduate degree at Tygerberg Hospital in Capetown, South Africa in 1979. He
moved to Calgary in 1983 and completed his residency at Alberta Children's
Hospital. In 1987, Dr. Nieman became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Canada (Pediatrics). Dr. Peter Nieman is a pediatrician
at Alberta Children’s Hospital and Rockyview General Hospital, as well as a
member of the Alberta Pediatric Association, the Canadian Pediatric Society and
the American Academy of Pediatrics. He currently serves on the National Advisory
Committee on Physical Activity and Healthy Active Living for Children and Youth
and the Canadian Pediatric Society's Psychosocial Committee. He has been part of
the Obesity Management and Prevention Committee of the Alberta Medical
Association and sat on the Academic Advisory Board of the National Foundation
for Family Research and Education. Dr. Nieman teaches as a Clinical Assistant
Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Calgary and is a
regular medical contributor to newspapers and radio and television broadcasts. Dr. Peter Nieman has completed 38
marathons, including two Boston Marathons. Dr. Nieman is also Husband and father
of four young children. Dr. Nieman runs HealthyKids.ca, an online service dedicated to helping concerned parents raise healthy children. DLTK visitors are entitled to a complimentary one-year subscription to HealthyKids.ca by using the coupon code: DLTK. |