Have you ever been pulled over by a police officer for speeding? Well last month, I was. He taught me a thing or two about a thing or two, but its not what you think. Of course, the experience was a reminder that there isn’t any place that I need to be that requires me to drive like a bat out of he**. But more importantly, he was the perfect model for properly disciplining my kids.
He pulls me over and says to me:
1. Ma’am can I have your drivers license and registration?
2. Do you know why I pulled you over today?
3. You were exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph. I’m going to write you a ticket.
4. Have a nice day.
He didn’t pull me over and yell at me:
1. What were you thinking?!
2. Do you know you were driving like a bat out of he**?!
3. I can’t believe I have to deal with this today?!
4. I’m gonna write you this ticket because you don’t deserve to have a license to drive!
He was calm & unemotional as he dealt out my "punishment". That is the model I will strive to use the next time my 6 year old watches his 2 year old brother sprinkle an entire container of salt all over the laminate floor and then joins him in "surfing" through the house on the grit. ; )
I just did a web search and found an article that explains what I learned and more. Here is a link to the article.
