The importance of discipline and setting limits

"Young children tend to be very curious, action oriented and excitable. They want what they want right now. Without boundaries, their curiosity, impulsiveness and impatience can lead to hurt or frustration" Setting Limits: Tips for Parents of Young Children. 1987 Project Enlightenment. Johston, Wilson, Kronberg.

When I read this statement in a pamphlet on parenting it immediately sparked thoughts and reflections on my own experiences as a child and as an adult. It is so true that children need limits and discipline, not only to protect them from harm but also to teach them how to become self controlled and self disciplined.

In every persons young life we find ourselves at a stage when we are no longer bound by our parents' rules and constraints and have the freedom to do whatever we want with no one to answer to, in a sense. To be able to protect ourselves in this new found freedom and make wise decisions, we have to rely on our own perceptions, moral values and ability to self discipline and control our behaviors, all of which are taught skills.

I think we all can reflect back upon experiences in our young adult and adult lives when we could saved ourselves pain and frustration if we were a little less impulsive, more insightful, more wise, more disciplined in our behavior. Hopefully, we are more the wiser because of our experience and realize the importance of limits and discipline. As parents, we should be passing this knowledge on to our children through discipline and love.