Discipline from my Parents to my Son & Nieces

April 01, 2022

Contrary to what the generation today where the kids were much pampered and living conveniently with the fast approaching technology, I as a kid didn't have such luxury.

I always said that I and my sister were raised by our strict parents especially Papz. He's not in the military or in army like Madam Jane's dad but he's really strict at us especially about our education. He disciplines us like we're in an alpha squad, but because we we're all girls so let's just rephrase it that he disciplines us like we we're in Charlie/Delta Squad.

There are different discipline Papz made that I didn't I am doing on my son and nieces, not on purpose though but it became just an instinct I guess. Apologies to all parents out there if I am screwed like this.

Stand/Hands Up

Basic as you say, but way back when I was a 1st grader I was standing for an hour with my hands on the air. Back then, when the teacher punishes us it's far worst than my father because she'll make us sit on the air(it's when you're bending you're knees acting that you're sitting) for half an hour. If you have little stamina well you'll probably faint. Papz, on the other side, let us stand and put our hands up and recite the numbers 1-100. As a first grader I only can count up to fifty for I'm a slow learner so I kept making mistakes so I need to be vigilant with my counting until I make it to 100 and let my hands and legs rest.

Now, on our kids (my son and nieces) I only let them stand if they're pissing Mum off. At first I would tell them to stop playing around especially at night. I can tell them five times only, if it exceeds and Mum kept on telling them to stop, that's when I interfere and let them stand. Let them stand and recite the Guardian Angel Prayer. If they still didn't learn their lesson, especially my son whose the super hyper active of them, that's when I let them stand with their arms raised and not facing each other(there's one situation that they're laughing while standing because they find it hilarious at first). After five minutes, letting them sing the national anthem and then telling them to behave. I know I'm bad I'm sorry.

Ruler Hit

Okay let me explain on this one because I only did it one or twice if I'm not mistaken.

So Papz before always have this habit to let us recite the multiplication table when we knew how to multiply already. And he'll do that base on his observation over our grades. I, honestly am not good with all the subjects aside Mapeh. So when in Mathematics, my Ate(oldest sister) is very good in that, while the other sister is good with Filipino and History. What Papz will do is to let you put your hands in front and recite the multiplication table, one mistake and he'll hit you with a ruler stick.

Now, with the kids and their modules, I always review it with them for like five times before asking them questions. I kept repeating the stories and would ask the mixed questions but with the same answer. One time I was holding a paper ruler made out from a worn out folder and cut it by inch and made it my ruler.

Every mistake I hit them lightly so that in my next questions they'll be more focused.

Not done so no play

Papz don't want unfinished reports, unfinished projects. He's updated with all our school stuffs. I already said this that our house is just in front of the school. So if there are projects or exams, the teachers will inform our parents about it with the deadline of submission etc.

So when we arrived from school, Papz will immediately tell us "Igawas ang inyong mga reviewer ug ang dapat buhatunon una magduwa"(Take out all your reviewer and make sure to do the things you needed before playing). So if you have a lot of school works then playtime goodbye. You also can't do it in a hurry because he will check it one by one.

Now, since they're on modular, what I did is not letting them play if the modules are not done yet. Unlike us who grumble silently, my son and the second niece would easily pout right on my face. They'll show me that they're not happy about it but if I waver then the discipline I set up would be vanished so I stand firm on my decision and they have no choice but to do it since they can't escape if they're not done yet.

Additional...-my nieces follow what I say even though I only come home during weekends. So if I say this or that they would comply obediently. My son on the other hand, I can't even ask for help for he'll do it right away. Like he knows some of my needs. Like bringing water on our room while I work on my PC or switching the lights off if I kept squinting my eyes because of too much brightness.

Those disciplines are done not too often, only when they prioritize other matters aside from studying. I let them play around but I also became strict when they became hard to handle.

Those discipline were practiced when I can't control their behavior. I always told this myself as a parent that I will not discipline the kids the way my parents disciplined us but there are circumstances that words are not enough for them.

I admit what I did is not right, I just note it to self to talk it out with the kids first before doing so in order for them to know that I am not doing those because I don't love them, I did it to let them know their mistakes.

As I said not all parents are like me, and I know that my ways are sometimes out of bounds. There are other ways in disciplining your kids and it will depend on the behavior of the children on what kind of discipline you make.

I told myself that I will make my monthly report but guess I was too preoccupied today to even do that and just grab some topics from my drafts...

Criticisms are highly appreciated on this one.

Thank you for reading!!
@mommykim