Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 52
52 aggression, at least temporarily, and possibly permanently. The younger the child, the greater the risk. Therefore, mothers should be very careful to monitor the amount of time their toddlers or preschoolers spend looking at a screen, whether it is a television or a handheld device. The television should never be used as a babysitter. IPads and such other devices are very interactive and hence quite addictive, unlike television, which is easier to turn off. We have to set time limits, block channels and set up filters for appropriate content. Also, it is very important to sit with children while they are watching cartoons so that the content can be monitored or explained to the child. Nothing can replace the interaction that a parent can provide. Discipline Sometimes children can really test a mother ’ s patience and very young children can be especially trying. The best way to discipline young children is to talk to them firmly but lovingly and always to be consistent about reprimanding them for a behavior. If a mother loses her temper and shouts at her child, her attempts at discipline will be ineffective and further will teach the child to do the same. Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (ra) said: “ Address a child politely and courteously, for a child is a great mimic. If you address it rudely, it will return the compliment in kind. ” 3. 10 On no account, should physical punishment be used. The Promised Messiah (as) said: “ I believe that beating children in a manner that the ill- behaved child-beater pretends to be Allah ’ s partner in guiding and training children, is a type of polytheism. When a hot-tempered person is provoked and punishes a child, he