Boomer Dad’s Unconventional Discipline: Carrying Water Jugs Across the Backyard

Parenting in the digital age is no easy task. With changing societal norms and the decline of traditional punitive measures, parents constantly seek innovative ways to discipline their children.

One such parent, Derek Longstreth has garnered attention for his unique method of teaching his son a lesson.

A Shift from Spanking

Gone are the days when spanking was a standard disciplinary method.

Today, many parents are exploring gentler ways of teaching their children right from wrong. Derek Longstreth is a father who has taken a modern approach to discipline.

When his 4-year-old son hit his mother, instead of resorting to physical punishment, Derek made his son carry seven one-gallon water jugs across their lawn.

In a video that has since gone viral, Derek explains his reasoning: “We’re not allowed to spank in the state of Wisconsin because there [are] some saying there [are] better ways.”

“I know just an a– whoopin’ is what it needs but like I said, I can’t do it no more. [If] you spank your kid, you will go to jail.”

Teaching Through Tough Love

As his son struggled to carry the water jugs back and forth across the yard, Derek offered words of encouragement and affirmation.

He emphasized the importance of respecting women, stating, “I love you, son. But we do not hit women in this family, sorry.”

He also reflected on his childhood, mentioning that he couldn’t imagine the consequences he would have faced if he had hit his mother. Derek’s method of discipline was not just about punishment but also about teaching his son a lesson.

After completing the task, Derek praised his son, saying, “You carried seven gallons of water 51 feet — 102 feet total.” He also humorously added, “I don’t even know if that’s accurate math here, guys. It’s just a rough estimate, I’m probably way off.”

Public Reaction to the Water Jug Method

The video sparked a range of reactions from viewers. Many applauded Derek’s method, seeing it as an effective and age-appropriate way to discipline a child.

A user commented, “I think it’s quite an age-appropriate consequence for his actions. Also, the encouragement is what I think would actually make it register with him in a positive way as opposed to fear-based.”

Another user shared their approval, stating, “I [raised] three boys, and sir you were doing absolutely the right thing; you’re teaching him so much more than just not to hit his mama. Keep up the good.”

A Broader Perspective on Spanking as a Child Discipline

Spanking, often termed a method of child discipline, has been debated for decades.

• Adverse Outcomes of Spanking: Spanking can increase children’s aggression, antisocial behavior, and mental health problems.

• Trauma Over Discipline: Hitting children for “discipline” often results in trauma rather than improved behavior.

• Elizabeth Gershoff’s Research: For over 20 years, Gershoff has documented the harmful effects of hitting children for discipline, emphasizing its ineffectiveness.

• Physical Punishment vs. Physical Abuse: Research suggests that the child’s internal response to both is similar, causing significant stress and potential mental health issues.

• Intergenerational Cycle: Many adults who use physical force on children were recipients of it during childhood.

• Need for Alternative Methods: There’s a growing call in society to identify compassionate, effective alternatives to physical discipline.

• Global Perspective: Many children face physical punishment worldwide, but momentum is growing to outlaw such practices.

• U.S. Perspective: Physical punishment remains legal in all states, but public opinion and practices are gradually changing.

Father Confronts Bride Over Amputee Daughter’s Wedding Exclusion

Weddings are one of the opportunities for families to get together to have fun with their loved ones. But for one man and his daughter, this affair became more heart-wrenching than it was supposed to be.

A man took to Reddit to ask if he was wrong to “ambush” his sister at her wedding when he discovered she did not want his daughter to be there.

• Father Confronts Bride Over Amputee Daughter’s Wedding Exclusion

Toddler Hits Mom: The Hidden Message In This Behavior

Parenting can be challenging, especially when it comes to dealing with toddlers’ behavior. In a recent viral social media video showed a mom trying to kiss her toddler.

However, the child pushed her away, accidentally hitting her face in the process.

She then provided an explanation and commentary on the situation, shedding light on the underlying messages conveyed by toddlers when they engage in such behavior.

• Toddler Hits Mom: The Hidden Message In This Behavior

Sources

Sources:

• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3768154/
• developmentalscience.com/blog/2022/2/10/hitting-children-leads-to-trauma-not-better-behavior

This article was produced and syndicated by Viral Chatter. It was inspired by this video:

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