Approaches to Being a Parent Can Vary Within Families, Ethnic Groups and Communities

Diversity ‘behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a The rich cultural diversity in our reward.’ community is reflected in the way families bring up their children.

Approaches to being a parent can vary within families, ethnic groups and communities. For more information please British society acknowledges and affirms cultural diversity but children, see: whatever their cultural background, • AFRUCA 's Manual on Child always have a right to be protected. Protection for Parents in the UK available at: www.afruca.org

Anything that causes harm to a • NSPCC's Encouraging Better child, whether part of a cultural, or Behaviour available at: faith, tradition, is never acceptable. www.nspcc.org.uk

Some practices that may be culturally acceptable in some countries are Southwark banned by law in the United Kingdom. Diocesan Board of Child development is built on the Education Christian Values of Love Supporting Christian Education Trust Forgiveness Patience Understanding Responsibility

Psalm 127 v 3 Disciplining Your Children

A Guide for Parents Child Protection – What's it • Criticise behaviour you do not like, NOT your child. got to do with you? The Law – How it applies to • Reason and discuss matters with you your child. Parents and carers want the best for • Show your child as much love their children. They help their children UK law protects every child up to the and support as possible. age of 18 years from cruel and by giving clear and consistent • Do ask for help before you feel abusive treatment by their parents messages about their behaviour. overwhelmed. and carers. Discipline is important to help our • It is against the law for a parent children grow into well-balanced and to use physical punishment on Boundaries responsible people. their child that causes marks. • It is illegal to use an implement We all know that children test our Sometimes parents can respond too to hit a child. limits at times. We set 'boundaries' harshly to situations and a child might about what we expect of our • Parents who cause deliberate suffer an injury or emotional harm as harm to their child could face children and family. If these a result of the methods used. criminal prosecution. boundaries are too loose and parents are inconsistent, children • It is against the law for anyone In some circumstances this may can become confused. If they are who is not the child's parent to result in a referral to Children's Social too harsh, then children do not use ANY form of physical Care and Police who may be called to develop their own sense of punishment. investigate. responsibility.

This results in great stress for the Positive Parenting Key Think about the rules in your house whole family. Points: and explain these to your children. Give them a chance to discuss the • Have clear, simple, consistent The aim of this leaflet is to support rules and to know when things rules and limits. parents and carers to feel able to might change. For instance, during manage their children's behaviour and • Listen to your child. school days you may expect a fixed to seek advice if they are having • Lead by your own example. bedtime, but at weekends this difficulties. • Praise and reward good could be later, or negotiated. behaviour. • Ignore behaviour you do not Consistency want repeated. It is important that children have routine and predictability. They need to know that there are consequences for how they behave. Rewarding positive behaviour is generally more effective than punishing challenging behaviour. Praise and encouragement are powerful tools for developing good habits.

However challenging your child's behaviour is, it is important to be as consistent and fair as possible.