Here are 6 things you must do to lose weight well:

Consult a Doctor

It is important to do a full body check before embarking on any weight loss program. This check may reveal a hidden health problem that is affecting your metabolism and aiding weight gain. This will not only help you know about your general well-being, it will also determine whether the weight loss program you intend to follow is the best for you. Some weight loss plans like juicing may affect your sugar levels and blood count which may result in diabetes or low blood sugar. You may be at the risk of some diseases if you do a crash weight loss program and this will only be revealed when you speak with your doctor. If you go ahead to lose weight without good health, you may expose your liver and kidneys to the risk of failing. Go see a doctor, get a clean bill of health before you lose that weight.

Examine Your Lifestyle

Your sudden weight gain may be as a result of your work pattern and lifestyle. If you work in the operations department where you have to sit for hours and eat at your desk, there is no way your body will not retain fat. This is because of the relaxation mode your organs are exposed to. Simple changes like getting up often to stretch or taking a 5-minute walk every hour will not only get your blood flowing; it will also help to exercise your body and improve your metabolism. If you sit in traffic for hours unending, there is a high probability of buying snacks to keep hunger at bay. You may want to work on closing earlier to beat traffic or structure your movement in a way that you are able to walk, get a bus, walk again in order to stay fit. This change plus your weight loss plan will definitely move you a step closer to your dream weight.

Eat Smaller Portions

Many people eat large meals at a go. Eating a lot simply means that your body will convert the portion that is not needed at that point to fat and store in different parts of your body. To understand how portion control works, you can speak with a nutritionist, get a special meal plan and eat from a smaller bowl. If you are able to eat 6 meals spread out across the day instead of 3 large meals, you will get to your preferred weight destination in no time.

Snack on Fruits

It has become the norm for people to have cravings before meal times. These cravings are so real that people buy biscuits, chocolates, and pastries to fill their tummies. These snacks then become the meal before the meal and distort the body metabolism due to the high sugar level of the snacks. The way around this is to buy fruits and snack on them instead. Fruits are healthy and have natural sugar that does not excite the body like processed sugar. If you get hungry, grab an apple or bananas or pineapples and feel your body thank you.

Exercise! Exercise!!Exercise!!!

This step is a cheat option. Exercising helps you burn sugar while sculpting different parts of your body. This simply means you will have firmer muscles and a well-shaped body at the same time your diet is working its own magic. Talk about getting double value without stress. Exercising while dieting will have you glowing in no time.

Improve Your Sleeping Habit

Studies have shown that people who have insomnia or sleep poorly are at a higher risk of weight gain. Night time is when your body has a chance to repair itself and also rest. Your inability to sleep will prevent this from taking place while affecting the normal functions of your hormones. It is also important to state that metabolism will become slower if you sleep poorly which will translate to weight gain. If you need medical attention to get your sleeping pattern back to normal, go for it. You may also want to make certain changes like cutting out coffee before nighttime, sleeping in a more comfortable room, changing your bed, turning out the lights hours before sleeping and going to bed early. Once you get your sleeping habit under control, you can be sure that your weight loss goal will become more achievable.

Now that you know this, choose your weight plan and get back to your dream size. All the best!

The post How to Get the Best Out of a Weight Loss Plan-6 Steps to Success appeared first on Hermaze | Relationship, Beauty, Fashion, Family Articles for Women.

Few Points to Note:

Intermittent Fasting: Intermittent Fast is an eating style on the Ketogenic Diet where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting this is by omitting your meal plan either your breakfast, lunch or dinner, but water can be taken during this period.

Bullet Proof Coffee: Bulletproof coffee it is a way of taking in fat via your tea most especially coffee tea by blending coffee, coconut oil, and any compliant butter /Mayonnaise. The fat intake serves as an energy source for the day.

Following the above meal plan will help you reach the state of ketosis fast and do not forget to include exercise, drinking of much water in your routine, healthy living is important on your weight loss journey.

The post Zero Carbohydrate Nigerian Meal Plan For The ketogenic appeared first on Hermaze | Relationship, Beauty, Fashion, Family Articles for Women.

Below are the 7 benefits of this diet.

High Blood Sugar Level

Meals consumed during a ketogenic diet naturally helps lower blood sugar level. Research has proven that ketogenic diet is a more effective way to prevent or manage diabetes compared to a low-calorie diet plan. Remember in my last article, it was established that the food ratio for ketogenic diet is 75% of fat, 20% of protein and 5% of carbohydrate. Sugar which happens to be the end product of carbohydrate is a major root cause of Diabetes; which is why ketogenic diet known as low-carb diet is the best for high blood sugar level.

Weight Loss

Ketogenic diet uses the body fat as an energy source and this helps with weight loss. While on the ketogenic diet the insulin, level go down turning your body into a fat burning machine. Based on personal experience and research the ketogenic diet is more effective compared to low-fat and high-carb diets.

Intellectual Focus

Ketones have been said to be a great source of fuel for the brain. This is because of the increased intake of fatty acids which has great benefits to our brain function. When you are on a low-carb diet, it helps avoid big spikes in blood sugar level which can result in improving focus and concentration. The ketogenic diet also helps increase energy level by giving your body a better and more reliable energy source.

Reduced Hunger Pangs

Fats are naturally more satisfying and they end up leaving the body in a full state for a longer period. The portion control included in the ketogenic diet plan helps the stomach reduces hunger pangs.

Managed Epilepsy

Research shows that keto helps in controlling seizures in some people with epilepsy. This diet is usually recommended by doctors for children whose seizures have not responded to a different type of medication. It is also used to prevent and reduce seizures in children living with epilepsy.

Blood Pressure and Reduced Cholesterol

A popular misconception about keto diet says that this lifestyle is prone to raise the cholesterol level in the body causing high blood pressure because of the high fat intake which fears the LDL. But on the ketogenic diet, you are encouraged to feed healthy fats like coconut oil, palm oil, lard, eggs, cream, red meat, grass-fed animal products and dairy fats like butter and yogurt to mention a few. The LDL cause high cholesterol and high blood pressure while ketogenic diet increase HDL.

The Easy Flow of Menstrual Cycle

Personally, prior to this time my menstrual cycle comes with lots of pain and the colour was different from the usual, but after I started the ketogenic diet I no longer feel menstrual cramps and the colour, now pure red. I am happy to be on this journey because I feel healthy.

Aside from the benefits listed above, I have also been told of personal stories how ketogenic diet tackles Fibroid, barrenness, Polycystic Ovarian syndrome, infertility problem, and hormonal imbalance. Also, it starves cancer cells of their food which is glucose.

You should give this diet a try, if you are looking to stay healthy and free from any medical condition.

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Causes

Amenorrhea is classifies into two: Primary or Secondary. The Primary Amenorrhea is more of a biological trait which occurs when a young girl of say 14 starts to develop sexual characteristics but doesn’t have menstrual bleeding while the secondary cause is when a lady who has been having menstrual flows suddenly stops for three or more months without pregnancy. Basically, it is important to note that there are different causes of this, some of which are Hypothalamic, Pituitary, Ovarian and some other functional causes.

Symptoms

There are different signs and symptoms as to how a lady could be suffering from Amenorrhea but the main symptom is the absence of menstrual flow when there is no presence of a foetus and then peradventure she starts to witness hair loss, headache, pelvic pain, milky nipple discharge and some changes in vision. Also if she is about 15 and above but hasn’t had her menstrual period, it could be as a result of Amenorrhea at the primary level so it is advised that when all these symptoms persist, you should please consult a doctor.

Treatments

Treatment depends on the cause of the Amenorrhea. Some may say contraceptive pills or other hormone therapies can create a new cycle for the menses as it in a way creates a new start. Amenorrhea that is caused by thyroid or pituitary disorder may be treated with medications. Treatment cannot be self-medicated or self-induced as a doctor or specialist should be seen and proper advice should be given. Some cases of amenorrhea can be treated with medications, while others include anatomical abnormalities of the genital tract and may require surgery.

For example, when primary amenorrhea is caused by abnormalities in the reproductive system, surgery and medication may be required. Amenorrhea caused by tumors would also need radiation therapy and medication or surgery to shrink or remove the tumor.

Causes such as low body weight, excessive exercise, and high levels of stress are lifestyle factors that need to be balanced out to revert to the normal functioning of the body.

As part of the treatment of Amenorrhea, some home made remedies can also be employed to keep it in check. They include:

• Boil half a cup of water and add a teaspoon of saffron. Boil till the water reduces down to a concentrated tablespoon. Divide this concentrate into three parts and have it over the course of the day. Saffron is a powerful antioxidant that can treat chronic inflammatory conditions as well as reduce stress that may be causing Amenorrhea.
• Drinking two to three glasses of tomato juice daily is said to improve blood circulation and treat Amenorrhea.
• Raw beetroot or fresh beetroot juice is considered an effective treatment for amenorrhea.
• Foods such as papaya, sesame seeds, ginger, and bitter gourd can increase the internal body temperature and improve ovulation. This in turn can result in regular periods.
• There is a substance known as butylidene-phthalide found in celery seeds that help to stimulate menstrual bleeding.
• There are a number of herbs known as emmenagogues that bring on menstrual bleeding. These should be taken only under qualified supervision as they can react adversely with other medication and can be dangerous if not taken in the proper dosages. Herbs used to treat amenorrhea include chamomile, angelica root, Blue cohosh, false unicorn root, and lemon balm.
• Chamomile is a relaxant and an antispasmodic that can be had as a supplement or drunk as a tea. Absence of menstruation caused by stress and anxiety can be treated with chamomile.
• Angelica root tea or extract can reduce stagnation in the reproductive system. Angelica root essential oil can also be massaged onto the abdominal area to induce menstruation.
• Blue Cohosh is believed to be a powerful uterine stimulant. It improves blood flow to the pelvic region and can also be combined with Black cohosh to treat other menstrual problems.
• False unicorn root has been used down the ages to treat problems with menstruation and infertility. The Native Americans believe that this herb can prevent miscarriages as well as bring on menstruation.
• Lemon balm – Melissa is a relaxant and calms the system down to encourage normal menstruation.
• An infusion of stinging nettle leaf when drunk regularly is an effective treatment for amenorrhea.
• The herb Pennyroyal is one of the best natural remedies for amenorrhea. It stimulates the reproductive system and encourages menstruation. It should be taken as a tea but only under supervision due to its strong properties. Penny royal essential oil can be fatal if taken internally as it is extremely toxic.
• Mix half a teaspoon of cinnamon in a glass of milk and drink this every day to instigate weight loss. Weight loss is important to ensure regular menstruation.

Also considering your diet and encouraging healthy dietary needs is helpful in treating Amenorrhea. Since problems such as obesity, low body weight, and iron deficiency are common causes of the condition, an amenorrhea diet is recommended to improve overall health and functioning of all body system.

• Include more iron-rich foods in your diet such as liver, seafood, spinach, soya beans and kidney beans. This prevents nutritional deficiencies such as anaemia that could be causing the absence of menstrual bleeding.
• Avoid crash diets to reduce weight as this can further aggravate the condition of amenorrhea. Stick to a regime of healthy food and regular exercise to reduce weight safely.
• Avoid fatty foods and products high in trans-fats. Use olive oil to cook to aid weight loss and add natural dietary fiber to improve your digestion and metabolism.
• If you are underweight, increase your intake of protein and low-fat dairy products. This will help you gain weight in a healthy manner.
• Do not forget your daily vitamin and mineral supplements along with folic acid as such deficiencies can lead to amenorrhea.
• It is believed that following a gluten-free diet can prevent menstrual irregularities and can even restore fertility.

Amenorrhea is preventable and thereafter treatable so women are advised to eat healthy, exercise well and have a frequent check up with the doctor.

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This common saying “you can’t eat your cake and have it”  implies you can not have the best of both worlds- sacrifices must be made to achieve set goals. This invariably mean that you discipline yourself and abide by set rules in order to see that desired change in your body size and health.

In discussing this new path towards healthy living, I will give a brief introduction into all about Ketogenic and how it works.

What is Ketogenic:

Ketogenic is a low carb diet which is structured to put your body in a state of ketosis, Ketogenic uses fat as its primary body source of fuel (Energy), this occurs because glucose a product of carbohydrate which gives you energy is cut from your meal plan and replaced with fat.

How does Keto work:

For you to achieve your set goals in Ketogenic you must follow this strict ratio of your diet, the Ketogenic diet is 75% of fat, 20% of protein and 5% of carbohydrate.

A look at the pie chart above shows you what your plate of food should look like when you are about to have your meal for the day.

Fat eaten is circulated as triglycerides in the blood stream and stored as adipose tissue i.e. body fat which is used as energy to keep your body going. Remember low carbohydrate diet is equal to low energy hence I would advise you eat more fat for you to have energy while going about your day to day activities.

I have read comments on ketogenic having the risk of high cholesterol which will result into low-density lipoproteins:  this is caused by eating of fatty foods that are high in sugar (bad fat)  but with research, I have been made to understand that high-fat diet requires eating of healthy fat, vegetables, fruits, fish etc. Eating of fatty foods which are high in sugar causes ketoacidosis.

Let’s try practice the above this week as we look at benefits of Ketogenic diet subsequently.

The post Ketogenic Diet: Easy & New Weight loss Path Towards Healthy Living appeared first on Hermaze | Relationship, Beauty, Fashion, Family Articles for Women.

Visible pant line popularly called VPL can ruin a beautiful day but they can be avoided by wearing the right and perfect set of underpants.

I will never forget the most embarrassing day of my life, I was all dressed up for a red-carpet event in my beautiful black bodycon dress by Dolce & Gabbana. Immediately I stepped down from my car I saw Wale my endless crush and I noticed his eyes were fixed on me. As I walked slowly down the red carpet I met with my friends and we decided to take selfies yet his eyes were still on me.

He walked slowly towards me, still staring at me I thought to myself he has finally found the guts to ask me out, but to my greatest surprise the words that came out of his mouth stroke me I felt like going into the ground.

“Did he just tell me my panty lines are showing through my dress?” 

Now, to avoid embarrassing situations like this, Below are tips on how to prevent VPL from ruining your day.

Consider Wearing the Right Panties

Wearing the right and perfect size of panties can help save you from the embarrassment of visible pant line. While shopping for your panties make sure they are not too tight to avoid your pants digging into your skin which will make you feel uncomfortable at the same time also make sure they are not too loose hence it folds up causing wrinkles and bumps on your clothing’s.

Wearing of Thongs/G-Strings

Thongs are the perfect choice of panties when dealing with visible pant lines while they may not be so comfortable to wear they are a good option to go for most especially when wearing spandex and lycra fabrics. G-strings have fewer fabrics than thongs so you might want to consider having G-strings as a must have panties.

Consider Boy Shorts/ Wearing of Seamless Pants

Boy shorts are set of panties which give full coverage whenever they are worn. This is because they do not cut across your butt and wearing of boy shorts gives a seamless look. Most seamless panties come in elastic and spandex, while shopping make sure you buy a boy shorts that fit your butt comfortably to avoid making it obvious from the outer part of your clothes.

Be Brave

Being brave means not wearing underwear or panties, this is the only way to be assured that no visible pant line or what so ever will spoil your perfect day. It is good when wearing a pair of trousers but when on skirts and dresses make sure you wear undergarments and if you are not comfortable doing this you can order a disposable cotton patch. While going bravely make sure you wash your a pair of trousers to avoid bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.

Try Under Garments

Wearing of under garments is another means of tackling Visible pant line. Under garments comes in different variants like Shapewears, tights, a slip (under skirt). These under garments give you a smooth look and help cover all wrinkles that seem to appear on your clothing’s. Most undergarments are of lycra fabrics which help shape your butt and prevents outfits from bunching.

Avoid Skin Clinging Clothes

Clinging clothes are extremely tight clothing’s, which will always hug your body and reveal your pant lines, when wearing a clinging garment, I will advise you bear it all (Go commando) and not wear any panties better still you wear an under garments to make your butt a little firm to avoid butt movement.

Wear Thicker Fabrics /Avoid Steer Clear Clothing

The type of fabrics you wear goes a long way in determining if you would have to tackle visible pant line all day long, try avoid steer clear clothing’s and embrace thicker fabrics. Wearing of thick fabrics you wouldn’t have to worry about visible pant lines all day long. Examples of thick fabrics are tweed over fabrics like jersey, silk, and denim, it is important to note that not all denim is equal make sure you go for the thicker once.

Finally, Print materials are good at disguising visible pant lines because of the fabric which is busy in nature which will cover any wrinkle or lines.

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I know how uneasy one can feel when being camped with a serious stomach upset. Especially when you cannot explain it after trying  all sort of remedy without progress. You must have tried salt and water or even palm oil.

Do not fret, there is a solution to it. while it is advisable to see your doctor to find out what the medical condition is, you can also try a very good home remedy to ease you of this stomach upset.

                               The Ginger Remedy

Ginger root tea is a very good home remedy for treating any kind of stomach woes like nausea, Ulcer, gastritis, acid reflux, indigestion among others. It works pretty well in cleaning and purifying the stomach system and might just be the right medication you have been looking for.

Taking this ginger root does not stop you from taking your prescribed medications. Although they can be taken together because ginger tea only aids the treatment and cannot counter your medications.

The ginger root tea is a home medication that you can prepare yourself, without spending much funds and with less stress involved. For effective treatment, you just need to sip a glass of fresh ginger twenty minutes before your meal. This can help calm your stomach upset and also act as an acid buffer.

To prepare this medication, you will need:

• Three quarters sized slices of ginger root
• Two cups of water

Slice up three quarters pieces of ginger root in two cups of covered water, then boil it for about thirty minutes. When you done boiling it, remove the ginger piece in the tea or you can decide to leave it. Go ahead and pour it into a glass and you can gulp it down twenty minutes before your meal.

Make this your routine continuously for few days and you will get an effective result. Within the first few days of taking this medication, you would even enjoy your health better.

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Still smarting from the loss of such a sum, I went all detective on reasons why a diet/ weight loss program will not work and sure did I find out a lot, from how 95% of people who lose weight regain the lost weight and more within 3years to how diets are a fad and psychological reorientation of an individual’s approach to eating is the way to go. In all, these reasons best describe why the weight loss program perhaps did not work.

Lack Of a Clearly Defined Reason For The Diet 

I totally agree with this point. I believe this is the main reason why my diet plan achieved no result. Most people just wake up one day and say “Hey I wanna lose some weight” and then they jump on a weight loss wagon only to fall off 5 days later. The reason is because they do not want it bad enough, the motive for that weight loss is not defined. I feel fine carrying this extra weight around but for someone who has a health problem and has 2 options; death or weight loss, and has decided not to die believe me any diet will work fine.

Before you start any weight loss program, think S.M.A.R.T goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely). Write out your target weight and set a realistic period for achieving this target weight, also include your reason for wanting that weight or body, paste it where you can see it daily. Let it be all in your face, constantly reminding you about your goal. Don’t forget to highlight milestones, so the goal doesn’t seem too elusive.

 Overly Restrictive Diet

Your body has a mind of its own, when you put your body on an overly restrictive diet, it thinks to itself “Oh, she/he wants to starve me to death, I will not allow this” and then it slows down your metabolism rate, making it more difficult for you to lose weight. It does this by producing more of the stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) because it perceives or “thinks” your reduced calorie intake is a threat to its survival. So next time, you want to lose that extra kg or 2, try buying a portion control plate and no drastic calorie reductions overnight.

 Early Life Trauma

Research has shown that out of about 286 obese people, half had been sexually abused as children and in most cases overeating and obesity weren’t the major problem, but attempted solutions. As a result of this, we all need to sit down and be really honest with ourselves, examine our pasts and find out if there is a deeper underlying reason for the unhealthy eating habit.  If you have been faced with any form of trauma in the past which could be responsible for this, your first point of call might be a therapist.

At the end of everything, this phrase I is very apt and has helped my weightloss journey, “The best answer to dieting, then, is: A lifelong program of everyday healthy, pleasurable eating coupled with regular exercise”. To lose weight, eat less and exercise more.

How boring! How prosaic! Yet how true.”

Omotola Fasawe

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Now you might think Timi is just a little child who makes things up but you are wrong. No matter your age, different demons will show up to scare you especially the ugly one called depression.
Depression is a disorder that happens as a result of different factors and leaves you feeling sad. It can last for a while and leave you feeling dissatisfied with the activities that once gave you joy and fulfilment. There are a lot of factors that can make you depressed like:
• Stress
• Grief
• Anxiety
• Lack
• Change etc.

Depression can affect your feelings, acts and appearance. You might lose interest in doing the things you love and withdraw from the people you love because you need space. If you start feeling terrible and out-of-place (amongst other symptoms), you might be suffering from depression.

Signs like the following should not be pushed aside they can be pointers to a deeper problem:
• Sadness
• Anger
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Inability to concentrate
• Morbid fear and hopelessness
• Weight loss
• Hallucination
• Loss of appetite
• Change in sleep pattern i.e. sleeping too much or Insomnia
• Suicidal feeling

Once you begin to see these signs, it is better to speak up like Timi. Depression is best handled by talking to a psychologist or a friend who has gone through low moments and understands the empty feeling that comes with this phase. A lifestyle change or time off can help you rediscover yourself while making you understand that it is not unusual to feel depressed. Studies have shown that lonely people have a greater tendency to commit suicide. Don’t wait until it gets to that point, speak up and find partners to help you face your demons.

Contrary to popular belief, super stars are more susceptible to depression. The famous Robin Williams was so depressed that it showed. Prior to this time, he made certain statements that showed that he was quickly descending into a state of hopelessness. One of such statements that should have prompted serious concern is-

“I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone”.

He was at the peak of his career but he was so lonely that he did the unthinkable for someone of his ilk; he took his own life.
Fortunately, not all depressed stars commit suicide. Stars like Jim Carey, Nicki Minaj, Ellen DeGeneres among others, battled depression and came out fine. Kanye West suffered from depression at different points in his life and even had a nervous breakdown. Michelle Williams who has suffered from depression most of her life has this to say about depression-

“I believe God-gifted people, physicians, doctors, therapists – that’s your healing. Take advantage of it. Go see a professional so that they can assess you. It’s okay if you’re going through something. Depression is not okay, but it is okay to go get help.”

Depression is a global thing. Nigerians suffer from depression but are usually asked to go pray about it or get over it. The story of the Nigerian doctor who jumped off a bridge has prompted a lot of people to take their mental health seriously. Some have died from drug (soft/hard) overdose and such deaths have been listed as accidental deaths. This is why it is very important to look out for our colleagues and friends. If you notice anything unusual, don’t hesitate to ask questions or help take their minds off their challenges. A note of caution though: Make sure you are sincerely concerned about their state of mind as people can always tell if you are genuinely interested in their issues or just fishing for the next hot topic to gossip about.

Don’t wave aside their challenges as this can make them shut down and do something drastic. Timi defeated his demons by speaking to his understanding mum who was quick to proffer a solution. It is not enough to tell anyone to just pray about it or snap out of it, support and constant attention will help anyone deal with this demon. The major challenge anyone suffering from depression faces is the fear of being misunderstood. Once that fear is conquered and you speak to the right person, healing is certain.

In conclusion, be kind to people. Don’t judge anyone. If you are suffering from depression or you know someone who is experiencing same, speak out and get help today!

 Image Credit: Ana María León via Flickr under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

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Susan’s mother, thinking she was doing her daughter good, was all an act of correction or so she thought. Unknown to her, she was abusing her physically and emotionally.

This act of correction made Susan a victim of emotional and physical abuse which totally destroyed her self-esteem. She became scared of talking among her peers. She grew with the mentality of being rejected not bothering to relate with anyone. The only persons who understood her were her father and elder sister. Whenever she does any wrong these two people correct her with soft words and make her understand the dangers in the wrong she had done. These two were the only ones she regarded as family.

There is a very thin line between discipline and punishment; which ultimately leads to abuse. A child is said to be abused when the corrective measures taken by the parent to discipline a child inflicts injury on the child either Physically or emotionally. Correction is non-punitive disciplinary measures used to discipline a child .

It is quite unavoidable to talk about correcting a child without looking at it from the angle of discipline. Discipline is one of the elements of parenting. Most parents find it difficult to draw the line between correcting a child in an empathic way.

If you, however, punish your child instead of disciplining them, the end result will not be the same. Punishment is an act of anger and impulse. It happens when a parent takes things personally; the use of object on a child inflicts injury on a child and that breed’s fear in the child.

Fear and Respect do not work together, when a child fears his or her parent the child finds it difficult to relate with the parent which goes a long way in destroying the existing relationship the child has with the parent.

Discipline also termed Correction also helps the child with the aim of helping them see why they should make right choices and actions. A parent who disciplines teaches their child right from wrong, helping them learn life skills.

Ultimately, punishment hurts a child whereas discipline helps a child.

How to Know When Discipline Crosses The Line

Punishment brings about intimidation, intimidation leads to fear; when a child begins to fear his or her parents the child tends to begin to think as a victim while the parent a victimizer.

Below are ways to tell if you are a Victimizer:

• As a parent examine what role your anger is playing while administering your punishment. It is normal for a parent to feel angry, it becomes abnormal if the parents expresses his or her anger rather than the need to correct a wrong.

• When a child tells lies to you as a parent to avoid punishment for any misconduct. The parent discovers the lie and tells the child to run outside for an hour, or starve the child for days. You are crossing the line of discipline. As a parent when you begin to act recklessly for example, a father is enraged at his teenage daughter: As they argue, he picks up a chair and throws it across the room toward the child. His daughter moves, and the chair misses her. While she was not injured, the possibility of an injury was present. Dad acted recklessly in this situation.

• Acting intentionally for example as a parent you found out your money is stolen and you suspect your child without asking question you flog your child stark naked, you put hot pepper in your child private part that is you crossing the line in a dangerous way.

How Then Do I Correct My Child Without Becoming a Victimizer?

The Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana said “In thinking about parenting, it can help to use football as a model, Bronson said when a rule is broken, the whistle is blown and a penalty is announced. Refs do not hit the players, the players generally accept the consequences, and everyone keeps on playing. This implies you do not have to hit a child with an object or with harsh words before you discipline your child.

1. Having in mind discipline does not need to be physical. There are many ways to teach children without running the risk of hurting a child. Some examples of non-physical discipline are taking away privileges and time-outs. (Do not starve your child of food).
2. Instead of hitting your child so hard, you can set rules and be firm about them.
3. Talk to your child often at the same time give your child a listening hear, this will help the parent understand the rationale behind your child’s behaviour.
4. Praise/Acknowledge your child when he/she does the right thing.
5. Keep your eyes open to know when your child is socially withdrawn most particularly when a family member is around this might be a sign of him/her being abused by that person.
6. Do not call your child names
7. Love the child. The same hand with which you discipline should be the same hand you hold them close.

As we create Child Abuse Awareness in this month of April, I implore parent to ensure discipline, know when corrective measures tend become abuse and take conscious steps to avoid them.

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