Discipline vs. Punishment in Parenting

Too often parents make the mistake of assuming that punishment and discipline are the same thing.

But in the interest of developing healthy relationships and connections with our kids (and, honestly, everybody else around us), it is absolutely necessary that we draw a distinction between them.

Punishment is a tool of the world. Its motivation is fear and its goal is compliance.

Discipline, on the other hand, is a tool of God's Kingdom. Its motivation is love, and its goal is connection.

Kids need proper discipline if they are to grow up, mature, and develop a value for personal responsibility and self-control.

Unfortunately, kids who are punished typically don't learn how to think critically, take responsibility, and make good choices. Rather, they learn how to hide and avoid punishment.

In this episode we begin to break down the difference between punishment and discipline in the interest of helping parents everywhere think about the long-term ramifications of their reactions to their child's poor behavior and mistakes.