How to Raise a Good Kid in a World That's Gone Mad

My son is only two years old and he's ornery, stubborn, pigheaded, spastic, mischievous and surprisingly polite. He says please and thank you, excuse me if he burps, passes gas or needs to get by you, plus he says bless you when you sneeze. Now, I am not bragging that I am a great mother, but I think I'm doing a pretty good job.

He throws fits like any other two years does, but he knows that there is a limit to how big of a fit he can throw. There will be no kicking, shrill screaming, or throwing himself to the floor. If that does occur he knows that he will be put in a time out until he calms down. He understands consequences to specific actions. The first time he does something he isn't supposed to he gets a time out. The second time, a light swat on the butt, and yes, I do spank my child. Most people think that a spanking is abuse, but trust me, it isn't. I never spank him out of anger. I let him know why he is getting a spanking, and I give him a hug after he's finished crying and reinstate why he got the swat. Trust me, there is a LARGE difference between discipline and abuse, and as an abuse victim myself, I would never put my child through that hell.

Many of you are wondering how I got my child to be so polite more than likely. I just repeat, repeat, repeat. When he gives me something, I say thank you, when I give him something, I make him say please and thank you. Whenever I sneeze, he says excuse you or bless you, depending on which one he chooses to say. I always repeat what I want him to say until he says it. I don't give him treats or rewards for good behavior, why should I when being good is how he is supposed to act anyways? Giving treats or rewards for good behavior is just going to create a spoiled selfish child, and NO-ONE wants that, no one wants to be around that, I know that I defiantly don't. When he's behaving good, I tell him he is being good, and give him a hug or a kiss, and he loves that. Whens he being bad he gets the same consistent time out, swat on the rear, and then both, always in that order.

I never punish him with bed, that will make him hate going to bed when it's time. I will put him on time out in his room, with the door closed, and if he chooses to go to sleep, great, he probably needed that nap. But I will not ever punish him with bedtime. He go's to sleep every night at nine o' clock on the dot, and if I am even a few minutes behind, he will beg me to put him to bed. He doesn't cry, he just cleans up after himself by picking up his toys, and then asks for his sippy cup, a tuck in bed, and kisses all over his beautiful face.

I have a well behaved child, and that isn't by accident. It took time, a lot of repetition and consistency, but it was all worth it. I love spending time with him, and he knows that if he doesn't behave, there are consequences, but I rarely ever have to discipline him, and I love that even more. So, if you want a polite child, just repeat and pour out tons of love on them.