Macquarie Dictionary meaning of

BRIBE- any payment offered to influence corrupt behaviour in the performance of duty

 REWARD- to give something in return for service

I have read a couple of articles and comments the debate of are "rewards" for your

child concidered "bribery". And whilst writing about this topic I also would like to share an insite of my views on disipline.

Well lets have a look at society and what your Child is going to be exposed to in the "big world" outside of your immediate care.

• PRIMARY SCHOOL- all Children that behave well and abide by the school rules recieve Awards, Good Marks and Good Comments on School Reports. Children who behave badly and don't abide by the rules get sent to the "Naughty Chair", get suspended, expelled and receive bad marks and comments on their schhol reports
• HIGH SCHOOL- well behaved children receive commendations, high marks, and even scholoships. Bad behaved children receive suspensions, expolsions and bad marks that are not a good start to young adult life
• TAFE/UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE- work hard, keep your head in the books and you are rewarded with a great start to adult hood receiving Certificates, Commendations, Diploma's leading to great careers etc.
• WORK PLACE- well behaved, dedicated workers are rewarded with Pay rises, promotions, bonuses etc. Bad behaviour, poor peformances workers are lucky if they have a job at all
• ADULT, GENERAL SOCIETY- Good drivers receive low insurance rates, Adults that do well in society receive awards off communities, governments, and even the Queen. Badly behaved adults are fined, jailed, and really don't have much of a "successful life.

So thinking about the society your child is going to grow up in is worthwile when you are wanting to know wether to reward your child for good behaviour/deeds and dicipline for bad unwanted behaviour. The fact is as your children grow society will reward their good deeds and behaviour and if you teach your child from the moment they arrive into this world that good behaviour/deeds is best way of life then they will be rewarded for the rest of their life.

So why not tell your child if they clean their room they will get a star or be good at shopping and they will get a lolly before they go home. I think you can only call it a "bribe" if they are being "naughty" and you give them something special in attempt to calm them down.

Anyways Keep Smiling, keep them rewards coming and fingers crossed our children will grow into wonderful, successful and confident adults who feel rewarded having such great parents like you!