• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

ProductiveMuslim.com

  • Store
  • Academy
  • Coaching
  • Retreat
  • Blog
Masterclass

[Family Life – Part 3] Tips to Effectively Discipline Your Children

Grandma Jeddah, April 5, 2014 Spiritual Productivity 5 minutes

Share4
Tweet
Share
Pocket
WhatsApp
4 Shares

[Family Life - Part 3] Tips to Effectively Discipline Your Children | Productive Muslim
Photo by Tiffany Jill: iquitcountingstock[dot]deviantart[dot]com
This is the third and final piece of a 3-part series on having a productive household. In this section, we will discuss 7 more aspects of a productive household. These will relate to successful ways of disciplining your children more effectively without hitting or shouting.

1. Be Sensitive to Your Child’s Feelings

One of the best ways to avoid future behavioural problems is to be sensitive to your child’s feelings. Let your child know you understand how he feels, even when he has misbehaved. For example, If Abdullah comes home with a notice from school that admonishes him for speaking disrespectfully to his teacher, listen to his story and frustrations first. Let him know that you understand how he feels. Then later you can kindly follow up with instructions on how he should handle the situation in the future more appropriately. At this time, you can also proceed to dispense whatever penalties you deem suitable.

The most effective penalties are those that are implemented with respect and gentleness. Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) says in Qur’an: “So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter.” [Qur’an: Chapter 3, Verse 159]

According to hadith, the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Whoever was given his share of gentleness, then he has been given a share of good. And whoever has been prevented from his share of gentleness, then he has been prevented from his share of good.” [Tirmidhi]

2. Use Positive Reinforcement Often

Seek out situations and behaviours in which you can commend your child. For example, when you notice Abdullah getting along with his younger sibling or completing his homework without being told, let him know how pleased you are. Such as, “Abdullah, thank you for cleaning your room without my reminding you to. Your room looks really nice.”

You will often find that encouragement leads to more successful discipline than criticism. Encouragement makes people feel good about themselves, which leads to further effort. Criticism, on the other hand, leads to feelings of despondency, which results in apathy.

3. Give Your Child Control Periodically

We all have a need to be in control of our lives and to feel important. If you find your child becoming increasingly combative and argumentative, give them a say in what goes on in the house. Make sure you provide your children with the opportunity to make their own decisions every now and then. Also, allow them to be in charge of things around the house. For children who have a stronger desire to be in control than others, grant them the extra responsibility. Consider assigning daily chores to your children. This can give them a sense of belonging and purpose. Use an incentive chart to encourage them to complete their chores on occasions they are reticent.

If your child refuses to take a bath when asked to, try offering him or her options rather than commands. For example, “Abdullah, do you want to take your bath now or in ten minutes?” Occasionally, let your child decide what dinner will be for the night or where the family should go for their weekend outing.

4. Be Fair When Disciplining

Being unfair or excessively harsh when correcting your child can sometimes lead to your child retaliating in subtle ways, such as venting his anger on younger siblings or embarrassing you in front of friends and family with disruptive behaviour.

According to hadith, the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Treat your children fairly, treat your children fairly.” [Nasa’i]

Another hadith states that the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Act equally between your children; Act equally between your sons.” [Abu Dawud]

Everyone wants to feel respected and appreciated. Treating your children justly can alleviate a host of discipline problems and helps to make them feel valued. A person who feels valued has the self-respect to adhere to established rules.

If you find you have disciplined excessively or unjustly, let your child know you are sorry. Parents can apologise too. This can teach your child that mistakes in judgment can be corrected. It can also help your child to swallow his resentful feelings that lead to excessively unruly behaviour.

5. Be Conscious of Your Stress Level

If you have been under extra stress lately, realise that your frustrations with your child might be related more to how you are feeling rather than your child’s actual misbehaviour. When you are under added stress, you tend to have less patience. You might snap at your children for things you would not ordinarily scold them about. During these periods, acknowledge your heightened tension and then decrease your stress by retreating to your room for rest. You can also relax by involving yourself in special personal time such as reading an enjoyable book or listening to Qur’an.

6. Be Aware of Your Child’s Stress Level

A child that is stressed out is less likely to be cooperative and more inclined to moodiness. Both of these actions can lead to problem behaviours. If you notice that your child is experiencing added stress, focus on relieving the stress by determining what is upsetting him or her and doing what you can to help alleviate the problems. During these stressful periods, within reason, try to overlook negligible behaviours. Focus more on finding solutions rather than punishment.

Also, keep in mind that one of the best ways of alleviating your child’s stress level is by showing your love and affection.

According to hadith, the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) was very loving with his grandchildren. Aisha raḍyAllāhu 'anha (may Allāh be pleased with her) reported, “Some Bedouin people came to the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) and said: ‘Do you kiss your children?’ He said: ‘Yes’. He said: ‘But we, by Allah, never kiss (our children)’. The Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: ‘What can I do if Allah has taken away mercy from you?'” [Ibn Majah]

7. Determine if Your Child is Seeking Attention

Some children will attempt to seek attention in any way they can, even if it is through improper behaviour. Try to spend more time with your child if you know you have been a bit slack lately. Simply listening more and giving your full attention when he or she is talking to you can be a start. But also remember to put aside special time during the day or week to spend with your child. Make it a habit of playing games every Friday or going on outings every Saturday. Arrange a schedule that will be suitable for all family members.

The Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) was known to spend fun time with his family. According to hadith, Aisha raḍyAllāhu 'anha (may Allāh be pleased with her) said that while she was on a journey along with the Messenger of Allah ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), “I had a race with him (the Prophet ) and I outstripped him on my feet. When I became fleshy, (again) I had a race with him (the Prophet) and he outstripped me. He said: This is for that outstripping.”  [Abu Dawud]

Establishing effective discipline techniques in your home can help parents achieve one of the most difficult yet most critical roles of a parent — that of the proper training of their children and in turn, a productive household.

Developing a productive household is an important aspect of establishing a healthy and productive society. Begin striving to improve your household habits in the manner mentioned in the three parts of this series. Be generous and kind, be patient with shortcomings, be committed to an intact family, and most important of all, remain faithful and dedicated to pleasing Your Lord. In sha Allah, you will see a more positive and fruitful home in the future.

If these tips have helped or if you have some more tips to share, let us know in the comments below!

 Read the other parts: (Part 1 | Part 2)

 

Share4
Tweet
Share
Pocket
WhatsApp
4 Shares
PDF

Free Download

10 Qualities You Need To
Live The Best Version of Yourself.
Spiritually, Physically, Socially

Enter your name and email below to subscribe to our newsletter and receive the free download above

We promise not to use your email for spam and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please read our Privacy Policy here.

Avatar

Written by Grandma Jeddah

Grandma Jeddah is an author of over half a dozen parenting e-books and founding owner of the U.S. based Muslim publishing company Summit Garden Press. Her books are recognized across 6 continents and she has received accolades from tons of mothers for her parenting advice. Grandma Jeddah is the mother of 11 children and 13 grandchildren. She has taught hundreds of students at an Islamic School in Los Angeles, California for over thirty years. Her first and original e-book was Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child-- And Keep Your Peace of Mind While at It. Subscribe to her free newsletter at: grandmajeddah.com.

Latest articles

How To Set Goals Like a Gardener?

As human beings, we're driven towards setting goals and achieving them. Unlike

A Year After Attending the Productive Muslim Masterclass: What Changed in Me Spiritually, Physically & Socially

As a professional and an educated Muslim man, I strive daily to be the better

Six Masterclasses & 195 Graduates: Read The Inspiring Stories of The Productive Muslim Masterclass Graduates

The ProductiveMuslim Masterclass is now entering its 7th edition with the

Previous article
Next article
ProductiveMuslim.com

About

  • About Us
  • Our Story
  • Company News

Store

  • Book
  • Masterclass
  • Academy
  • Coaching
  • Retreat

Blog

  • Latest Articles
  • Free Planners
  • Videos
  • Archive

Contact

  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Careers
Copyright © The Productive Muslim Company 2019
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Store
  • Academy
  • Coaching
  • Retreat
  • Blog
​ ​