Disagreements about Discipline

Written by Lynette Hoy NCC, LCPC

My husband and I were brought up very differently and it is effecting the way we raise our 2 year-old son. He tells me I spoil him and I tell him he’s too strict. There are things I let our son do that my husband disagrees with. I just think he’s a kid and he should have fun as long as there’s no danger to it. My husband says there is a difference between having fun and being spoiled. Do you have any idea how we can come to some sort of agreement?

Advice: I would encourage you to read some books on child discipline together such as Dr. Dobson’s book: The New Dare to Discipline and Discipline with Love

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. You may not agree completely on how to discipline but if you both are willing to grow and learn together in this area, maybe you can negotiate and agree on methods. Your spouse may have some insight that you don’t have about disciplining and you may have some insight that he doesn’t have. The most important thing is that you do agree and are consistent about discipline together or your child will learn how to manipulate you against one another. The Bible says, “Train a child up in the way he should go (the way of the Lord) and when he grows up he/she will not depart from it.” Discipline is important in God’s eyes. He disciplines His children. Are you one of His children? Learn from the Lord by reading the Bible. John 10:10 says, “To all who believed (in Christ), they became children of God.” How important it is to know God and His will and wisdom for living.