Our world has changed so much since the turn of the century. Everything is faster, fancier, and flashier than ever before. It seems that the only thing that most of us lack is enough time to take it in. The technological boom has resulted in so many devices that can be your child’s best friend or worst enemy. A phone, tablet, or a computer now takes up a high percentage of children’s free time. However, it is necessary for the parent to supervise their device use. Monitor the content that your child is observing because they are being influenced psychologically.
There are a lot of educational games that you can help your children to download. Encourage them to watch wholesome, useful, and informative content online for a limited amount of time. They need to develop self-control and receive loving discipline from their parents and guardians, who should set boundaries on device usage.
LOVE UNCONDTIONALLY; DISCIPLINE APPROPRIATELY
Indiscipline is one of the greatest challenges facing our young people today, and the challenge is even greater for single parents. Many persons have neglected to practice disciplining their children because they were abused as a child, when parents were too harsh in disciplining them. However, in our modern world, let us not throw the baby out with the bath water. It is very important that you do not over-punish your child o for things they have done wrong; love them unconditionally as you help them to be disciplined, honourable citizens.
Too many parents make the mistake of beginning to take disciplinary action too late in their children’s lives. They laugh and make fun of their children’s naughty tricks and bad attitudes when they are under five years old, and then seek to begin to train and discipline them when they are age 10 and 12, when things begin to get out of hand. However, whatever the method of discipline that is used, parents should ensure that it works as an aversive stimulus and not an abusive action.
HELPFUL TIPS
- Let the child learn to read before giving him or her a device, and avoid letting them spend excess time on cell-phones.
- It is good if children spend less than one hour per day on a device during the school week, especially if they are in high school when they have work that they can revise.
- Take them to church so that they develop love and respect for God and Godly moral values.
- Get them involved in extracurricular activities.
Sophia Bygrave is a trainer, motivational speaker, and author of Parenting Matters and Happy and Healthy Child.