Module 6: Mindful child management
Module 6 of the Parents Under Pressure program is designed to help parents manage their child’s unacceptable behaviour. The module includes a description of specific non-punitive child management techniques including limit-setting and forms of discipline that do not involve corporal punishment.
Elizabeth Gershoff (Gershoff, 2002) pointed out that corporal punishment is normative (i.e., is used by the majority of parents in the Western world) and does not necessarily have negative effects on children if used occasionally and in a clam state of mind. For example, a parent may smack a young child for running onto the road out of fear the child could get killed. In this situation the parent’s use of corporal punishment is planned, controlled, and accompanied by concern for the child rather than anger. This type of discipline is referred to as instrumental corporal punishment. Problems arise when parents frequently use corporal punishment impulsively while in a state of strong negative emotional arousal (in particular when they are feeling frustrated, angry or out of control). This type of discipline is referred to as impulsive corporal punishment.
Instrumental punishment can be considered to involve wise mind, while impulsive punishment is driven by emotion mind (see module 4). A major aim of module 6 is to help parents move into wise mind when disciplining their children. This requires parents to practice regulating their emotional state using mindfulness or other techniques.
The second aim of module 6 is to teach and encourage the use of non-punitive disciplinary strategies. The PUP program considers knowledge of specific techniques for managing a child’s behaviour is essential, but not always sufficient. The parent must also be in the right state of mind to use these techniques effectively. The combination of adopting the right mind state (wise mind) coupled with knowledge of specific child management techniques is what we mean by mindful child management.
Reference
Gershoff, E. (2002). Corporal punishment by parents and associated child behaviors and experiences: A meta-analytic and theoretical review. Psychological Bulletin, 128(4), 539-579.
