Well, I did buy canes. And most of the times I just waved it at them to show my anger if they were naughty. I would use it on the floor..whacking it as hard as I can. The thundering sound it makes is enough to frighten them. They usually behaved.
However, there was one occasion..some years back. When Melody was only in Primary 1. Something happened and she came home with a big lie. I don't remember the details of this story. All I remember was what I did and what happen after that. She had lied about someone and told more lies to cover the first lie she told.
So here I was, asking her what happened. And she lied. So I ask her to stick out her hand, then I caned her palm of her hand with the cane. She cried. Because it was painful.
Then I repeat my question again. Hoping that she will tell me the truth. Again, she told another lie to cover the first one. And again, I caned her. This went on for at least 3 to 4 times, until I told her this
If you keep lying to me, I will keep caning you. Until you tell me the truth of what happened.
Then finally, she told me the truth. Then I stopped caning her. By then, her palm was red and swollen. My heart broke in several places that day. Seeing my girl in tears and in pain. It reminded me of the days I was caned as a child too. How painful it was.
But as the old saying goes.."Spare the rod or Spoil the child". I had to do this to make her understand.
And I reinforce the purpose of caning by telling her this:
When you tell the truth, the Truth will set you Free. Free from pain, from tears. All I want from you was the Truth. Even though you did something very wrong, I will always forgive you. But when you tell a lie, you must tell many more lies to hide it.
Then she wailed even louder by now. And in between her sobs and cries, she said : "Mummy, sorry..I won't do it again"
Then I took her in my arms, hugged her and wipe the tears from her eyes. Apply cold ice on her palm and slowly rub it. And I reassured her that I still loved her very much despite being naughty.
Some 4 years have past, to date, Melody never told a lie again. No matter how big or how small it was. If she is wrong, she would tell me "Mommy, sorry".
It was a painful experience for her. But she learnt it for life. She is a better child now. When my friends and students met her, all commented that she is so well behaved. What they don't know is
Kids are kids..lies and being naughty is by nature. Comes in a package. No way you can return to God and ask for a refund or a new kid. You have to nurture them, teach them the right way to go. No matter how painful it is.
4 comments:
Dear Gina,
Reading this post of yours, reminded me of exactly what I did to my son one year ago, when he was in P2.
He came back with some Pokemon toys which I didn't buy for him. He lied and said he picked up from school. Then he changed his story to say he bought it. I was in the complete same situation as you. As he lied, I caned. As he changed his story again, I caned. I caned him so hard, he cried so loudly. My the other two younger children were watching, and fearing that I will hurt their brother.
Even right at the end of the confrontation & caning, I didn't managed to find out the truth. In the end, I only tell him to return to whoever who gave it to him.
Even though he is very playful, misbehave, even though I was really furious, upset and angry with him for telling lies, it was really painful for me to cane him.
It's not as easy for me to hug him, as it is for you to hug Melody. Unfortunate thing is, such incidents happened about 3-4 times since he entered P1.
Fortunately for me, it is better now. He knew the consequences, and he didn't do it again. I hope he will become more sensible.
I totally agree with "spare the rod, spoilt the child!"
I agree with you too about sparing the rod and spoiling the child. As I was growing up into womanhood, I made up in my mind that I wasn't going to spare the rod, but unfortunately I wasn't blessed with a child. Anyway, when I was young (6 or 7 yrs old) I remember getting the beating of my life and never ever dared to tell a white lie ever again. So there, it helped me.
Actually come to think of it, I would rather talk to my child and make him/her understand before I take the cane. I think my heart will break if ever I had to whack my kid. In my mind, parenting is one difficult task.
Reading your blog I think you are one fantastic mom.
Passionate about baking, parenting is more difficult than going to work and face the boss! You are doing fine too. Must cheer each other! :)
sandra, mothers are not born, they are made when there is a child that needs some loving. I will post up a old story I got about Mothers. Actually, let me find my old Powerpoint slideshow I did for church on Mother's day. It make the congregation cried!!
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