Sixxy I put the FUN in dysfunctional's blog: "Self-help Sixxy?!? LoL"

This is something all of us probably need to read or hear at some point. It's so very true that listening to oneself (be it body, mind, or soul) can reveal the answers one needs...or at least very clear clues to finding the answers/remedies one needs...to nourish and heal oneself. Even from the inside, out. I hope this helps anyone who may need to see it. --------------------- "Valuable Information The Message Of Pain When we feel pain, our first impulse is often to eradicate it with medication. This is an understandable response, but sometimes in our hurry to get rid of pain, we forget that it is the body's way of letting us know that it needs our attention. A headache can inform us that we're hungry or stressed just as a sore throat might be telling us that we need to rest our voice. If we override these messages instead of respond to them, we risk worsening our condition. In addition, we create a feeling of disconnectedness between our minds and our bodies. Physical pain is not the only kind of pain that lets us know our attention is needed. Emotional pain provides us with valuable information about the state of our psyche, letting us know that we have been affected by something and that we would do well to focus our awareness inward. Just as we tend to a cut on our arm by cleaning and bandaging it, we treat a broken heart by surrounding ourselves with love and support. In both cases, if we listen to our pain we will know what to do to heal ourselves. It's natural to want to resist pain, but once we understand that it is here to give us valuable information, we can relax a bit more, and take a moment to listen before we reach for medication. Sometimes this is enough to noticeably reduce the pain, because its message has been heard. Perhaps we seek to medicate pain because we fear that if we don't, it will never go away. It can be empowering to realize that, at least some of the time, it is just a matter of listening and responding. The next time you feel pain, either physical or emotional, you might want to try listening to your own intuition about how to relieve your pain. Maybe taking a few deep breaths will put an end to that headache. Perhaps writing in your journal about hurt feelings will ease your heart. Ultimately, the message of pain is all about healing."

So there was a MuMM on children, behaviour and discipline issues. I got a bit carried away...as I've been known to do. *blush* It's a topic I'm not just passionate about, but have been on BOTH sides of before. Without getting into personal details, I know what abuse is like first-hand. I have always tried to find a way to relate to children so that punishment is a last-resort, no matter what form chosen. You'd be surprised what a little "persuasive" guidance can accomplish with children. :-) (I.E. - "Let's see how many toys you can put away in 15 minutes!" or "How many toys can you fit in your toy box?" etc. Get the point? It works!!!) Here's the two long-winded comments I left. LoL -------------------------------------------------- Comment 1: Whatever you choose to do...CONSISTENCY is key! If you do not follow through each and every time, or make "empty threats", they'll quickly learn which buttons to push, when & how to push them, and that there will be little to NO consequences for their actions - or lack thereof. Basically they'll be in control, not you. I don't give a rat's patootie what people say today about HOW to discipline kids....THAT one thing, consistency, is always and forever going to be true. Stick to your guns. Don't promise OR threaten ANYthing in life if you don't have the means and guts to f o l l o w - t h r o u g h. (I learned by experience. ;-) ) ..................................... Comment 2: Find the way that works for you. Spankings are NOT wrong. They've been tried and true for many, many years. The problem comes when you hit in anger...or for every little thing...or get carried away and cross the line into abuse. Time outs can be so insanely horrible for an active child that they NEVER want to be there again. Or they could be useless for a child who has no problem sitting there annoying you, getting your attention, forcing you to constantly watch them there and monitor them....using it as another form of control over you by monopolizing your time and wearing your patience thin. Then there are some who will sit out punishment, no matter WHAT it is, if they know they can still get away with the behaviour that got them in trouble in the first place. Discipline is a VERY personal, touchy topic. No two parents will ever agree 100% on the perfect discipline for every behaviour problem from every child. And every child is different as well. Find what works for YOU and YOUR children. Just know your limits & theirs. And if you ever get to the point where you can't take it anymore and could possibly do even the smallest bit of damage to them or yourself (physical OR mental) step away, call a friend or relative or organization for help. (Your own "time out" in a sense.) Cheesy, self-help group line alert: Asking for help is NOT a sign of weakness, it's a sign of self-awareness and courage. (sounds lame, but it's true) -------------------------------------------------- Can you tell I have strong feelings toward the subject? To be honest, I don't know one parent who TRULY cares about their children...AND others...that doesn't.