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Five Secrets for Raising Healthy and Happy Children

By Arthur Rosen

Two: Love, but what is it?

Of course it is absurd to ignore the factor of love in any child and parent relationship. But love is not the gooey ichy affection showing relationship that many believe is love. That could be love but what is really love means concern about the welfare of the child. This would mean doing something that does not appear to be love, such as punishment.

We punish a child in order that the child should separate himself from something harmful whether physical or personal. But the punishment that is given must only be give if speaking and reason do not work.

As an example explaining to a two year old not to touch the gas knobs on a stove may not work, but a simple slap on the back of the hand with a stern warning: don't touch or you will get another slap will. It must be remembered that the slap is not an outburst of frustration on the part of the parent but a realization that training a child that certain things are very dangerous prompts such action.

All actions that concern the child should be given forethought so that they may not be ineffective rash outbursts that are counterproductive.