I know, this video is in Amharic and for those of you who cannot understand Amharic, this is what I am saying:
Five basic rules to follow to disciple a child (I learned from raising three kids and books):
1. Set specific and clear rules before you discipline a child. Make the rules preferably with your kids so that they clearly understand it and agree with the rules. This teaches them how to be responsible.
2. Warn them when they disobey for the first time to teach them to use their second chance wisely.
3. On the second disobedience, call the child and ask why he/she did what he/she did and what the consequences are and let him/her receive that.
NEVER! EVER USE YOUR HANDS to discipline your children. Let’s use our hands to love, hug and comfort our kids when they need one. (I learn this from Dr. Kevin Leman.) Use kitchen wood spatula or something similar. When you always go to get that spatula, you will get time for you to calm yourself down and search your heart to see if they really disobey or you are just upset with something else and you are taking that anger out on your kids.
“A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. . . Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.” (Proverbs 29:15, 17)
4. After you discipline them, tell the child that you are disciplining them because they disobeyed, and because you love them, you also discipline them for their own good. “because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” (Proverbs 3:12)
But angry parents cannot say this to their children: “I am disciplining you because I love you,” because there is no love with anger, “for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20)
5. When you make a mistake (e.g. being upset with them unnecessarily), be humble and ask their forgiveness.
Your kids will appreciate your “humanness,” that nobody is perfect including their parents.
They also learn from you how to acknowledge their mistakes when they make one and ask forgiveness from the person they hurt. This teaches them the most important lesson of life, owning their mistakes and taking responsibility for it, and how to restore relationships they have with God as well as with people (friends and families). ///