Have you heard the phrase “church hopping”? It is the same idea as “diet hopping.” It comes from the thought that if the church or diet doesn’t immediately give you the results that you desire, you try another hoping the next option will be the magic pill to fix the problem.
Here’s another one for you…
Discipline Hopping
Discipline hopping is when a parent or teacher tries a discipline method for a short time, doesn’t see immediate results, and thus looks for another promising plan to produce the perfect child(ren).
One of the first places I see it is in potty training. Parents read the promise of “1-Day Potty Training” and love the idea of no messes, no frustrating, and no work. And while the process clicks with a few children, it doesn’t for most, leaving the parent desperate to find another secret to success.
Another area is in consequences. Moms tell me that the consequences aren’t working with their child. So, they jump to a new sticker chart or new discipline book desperate for immediate results.
And the cycle continues. Hopping from one idea to another.
No Perfect Option
Friends…There are no perfect churches, diet options, or discipline methods that will immediately produce the results that you want.
Being involved in a church, losing weight, and raising children to love God and others takes work and self-discipline. Each are messy and you will shed some tears along the journey. But, all are worth it.
Don’t discipline hop. It only confuses the child and exhausts you. Turn to the Bible and use God as your example.
Effective discipline includes firm boundaries, love, and consistent consequences.
If you are unsure how to do this, please check out my Biblical Parenting Video Series. You will learn what the Bible says about raising godly children and create a toolbox of simple ideas to walk you through the process.
It’s a Marathon
But remember that parenting and teaching is a marathon, not a 50-yard dash. Boundaries need to be firm everyday. You will have to love the child through exhaustion and heartache. And consequences probably won’t produce immediate results. Actually, oftentimes behavior gets worse before it gets better. And then, when things seem to be better, children will test the boundaries – again.
But with time you will see your hard work pay off.
How do I know? Because while my children aren’t perfect, I am seeing the fruits of my labor in my pre-teens and teenagers. It hasn’t been easy and my work isn’t finished, but it is so rewarding to see my children mature and grow.
Put Your Shoes On
I invite you to stop the hop and start running the marathon.
And by the way, if you are needing truthful tips about potty training, I encourage you to check out my Potty Training Steps to Success.
