I don’t spank my children, and yet one of the most common compliments I receive—whether we’re in public, at family gatherings, or just out living life—is how well-behaved, kind, and respectful they are. People are often surprised to hear that we don’t use physical discipline, but to us, it’s no mystery. My husband and I have made a conscious decision from the very beginning to respect our children enough not to hit them.
Because that’s what it comes down to for me: respect. If I want to raise respectful children, I need to model what that looks like—even in moments of frustration. Especially in those moments.
