Helping Hands Don’t Hurt People!

One day my children are going to kill each other.  This may not be true but some days it sure feels that way.

My wife and I recently spent time with one of our friends, Jessica W.   During our time together she shared with us the concept, “helping hands don’t hurt people.”

The phrase is very simple but it is extremely profound for my 4 and 5-year-old children.  They understand what it means.  We do not place our hands on each other to harm or hurt each other… this includes spanking.

We adopted this phrase in our home, and you will hear one of us mention it every couple days.  Today… it was said more than once.

I don’t want my children hurting each other, and I am as equally committed to not spanking my children with my hand.  As their father I need to set the example.  I will not hurt them with my hands and they can’t hurt each other with their hands.

My son got in trouble the other day and he went to get the wooden spoon.  He told me I needed to use the spoon because I had said, “helping hands don’t hurt people.”  I was very proud of my young son, but he didn’t get out of trouble.  He did get the spoon, but very softly.

Have you ever used any parenting method such as “helping hands don’t hurt people” to teach your children?

Have you modeled the behavior for them?