Scolding effectiveness

There is no denying, scolding is effective. It changes behaviour quickly.

But as Katherine Morgan Schafler says in her book ‘The Perfectionist’s guide to losing control’ it’s more likely to create liars, mischief makers, or anxious folk than saints and boy scouts.

The example she uses is…

A child you punish for stealing cookies from the pantry will continue to steal cookies from the pantry but just do so when you’re not looking.

I see a lot of wisdom in that.

Post scolding, it’s rare that I change my behaviour because I like the suggested action but moreso because I don’t want to be lambasted again.