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Discipline With Humor

Humor...the best medicine...

Positive Discipline (Home) Kids Behavioral Problems Power Struggles With Kids Discipline With Love Positive Discipline Techniques (Part 1) Positive Discipline Techniques (Part 2)

One of the effective positive discipline techniques is to use humor in disciplining. Why is humor effective in discipline?

Humor Surprises

Humor catches a kid off guard and sparks instant attention. If reduces the power struggle between parent and kid before the situation becomes too tense.

Humor opens up closed little ears and minds, so that they are more likely to listen to reason or an appeal.

After a long day, a stressful working papa will often find the noisy environment caused by the kids' squabble unbearable. Instead of yelling at the kids to stop the noise (remember the yelling itself also another noise), what could be a better idea to stop the kids and yet without annoying yourself?

You could play with the kids and when all are in good mood and laughing, suggest to them that all of you are tired and need to rest.

Humor Gets Jobs Done

When Adriel is protesting to tidy up his toys after leaving them all over the floor, instead of getting upset with him, I've tried the following method.

I would say, "oh, what a mess, I think your toys are all being sun burnt in the sun..."

He would burst out laughing...use his imagination and say "No, I think they are floating in the sea..."

"Ugh, ugh...I think so, they'll be drowning, get them back to your bag!" I say.

Then he picks up his toy and pretends to put them into wrong bags. I shake my head "Ugh, ugh...try again..." The game continues until he finishes putting all his toys into the right bags.

If I were to demand that he tidy up his toys, my words would have fallen into deaf ears. It's the Humor, Play & Laughter that really work!

Humor Protects

Young kids do not understand what would hurt them.

When they happen to play with dangerous items such a electric socket or play near a hot kettle, shouting at them will only shock them and at times worsen the situation.

Also, preventing them from playing with such items will only intensify their curiosity and desire to play more.

Instead, pretend that you are a cute, little cartoon character that they love, and exaggerate your actions that touching the electric socket or hot kettle will hurt their hands or burn their legs. You can act as if you are truly hurt by your actions.

The kids can then relate dangerous, pain and hurt. This will help the kids to avoid dangerous household items and resist the temptation to try them again next time, especially when you are not around.

Humor Gives A Second Chance

You can use humor to give a kid a second chance to obey.

When a kid is misbehaving, very often he's already in a bad mood. If you are also in anger, raising your voice and threatening to punish him, you're caught up in a war zone...an angry (and ugly) mama, a defiant kid, and a tense situation.

However, a little humor may improve the situation, and even yield positive results that out of your expectation.

I like to use the "ugh, ugh...try again..." tactic to correct my kids' unacceptable behavior. This approach usually results in both laughter and obedience. Sometimes they even ask "is this the right way, mommy?" or "can I do it this way?"

Yes...you get to teach your kids the right value along the way.

Use Humor Sensitively

There're times to be serious and there're times to be funny. When your kid's behavior is no laughing matter, be strict and firm. And when your kid is sensitive to ridicule, a funny remarks may be treated as a sarcastic put-down.

Do experiment and be sensitive to find out when to and not to use humor in disciplining your kids.

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