Austin writer Maya Perez, mother of a three year old, recently shared some feelings and thoughts that most all of us have experienced at one time or another. This weekend I was tested personally when spending the day with my two year old son, Kash. As I became engrossed in SportsCenter he managed to toddle into my office and into my desk drawers. Never mind the erasable markers and crayons his Mom provides for him. He knew my office contained the good stuff. The Sharpies!! Not more than 10 minutes must have passed before he dug through my desk drawers, found the Sharpies and proceeded to use our family room ottoman as his canvas. “Da Da I color.” After all the blood rushed out of my face I quickly had to regroup and figure out how to react, respond, and discipline my two year old Picaso. Not to mention cover, clean or come up with an alibi before his mother came home!
Mrs. Perez reminds us all that the true meaning of discipline is “to teach or train” not scold, admonish, punish, or yell. We are their most important models. The most powerful source of teaching we provide our children is our own behavior. We constantly teach by the way we live our lives, treat our children, work, play, and relate to others. They are watching and will emulate us. No matter if they’re a two year old, a tween, or a teenager.