Tuesday, August 18, 2009

POLITICS AND POSITIVE DISCIPLINE

If you have listened to the news lately, you have heard some of the debates over healthcare reform. The fighting, shouting, name-calling and taking things out of context, could be humorous if we were watching three-year-olds.

What could the politicians and “talking heads” learn by observing a Positive Discipline Class Meeting or a Positive Discipline Family Meeting?
  1. To be respectful?
  2. To take turns talking instead of interrupting each other. (Maybe they could even start using a talking stick to know whose turn it is.)
  3. To stop the name-calling, taking things out of context, slanting comments to fit their point of view.
  4. To listen and validate another point of view. (Validating does not mean agreeing.)
  5. To stop focusing on being right and making each other wrong.
  6. To brainstorm for solutions and choose those that are respectful to everyone.
  7. To develop social interest (concern for the needs of everyone) instead of power to push personal agendas.
What would happen if everyone refused to listen to all 24-hour news stations for a week? A month would be even better. We wouldn’t miss anything. They would still be talking about the same things, 24-7. And, they might get the message that we are not entertained by so much negativity. Anyone want to join me in a book titled Positive Discipline for Politicians and Talking Heads?

Just kidding.
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1 comment:

  1. DebAugust 19, 2009 at 6:58 AM

    Why should you be "just kidding?" This is exactly what we all need, 24-7. Adler was right on, and this is one of the reasons I love PD-- it's so much more than "discipline." It applies to absolutely all human (and perhaps nonhuman) relationships. World peace through Positive Discipline, and all that. (We need to make t-shirts that say that; I have parents who have been in my classes who would actually buy/wear such a thing!)

    Anyway, thanks for throwing it out there. Perhaps people (myself included) don't behave in those ways because it's so HARD at times. All the more reason to try and to love PD for calling us to our better selves. PD doesn't make you a better person (I wish . . .!), but it sure shows you what it would take to be one!

    Thanks for your leadership and inspiration, as always.

    ReplyDelete

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