Myth: "Spare the rod, spoil the child"
The saying “spare the rod, spoil the child” is an antiquated phrase that means if a parent does not discipline their child by hitting them (with a rod or wooden stick), then that child will become spoiled. On the contrary, research has shown that child abuse can lead to developmental problems such as mental health issues. A considerable amount of research on the topic has also shown that spanking predicts increased levels of aggression in children. Furthermore, research has shown that children tend to imitate aggressive acts as seen in observational analysis such as Albert Bandura's Bobo Doll study (Bandura).

It is important to note that there is a difference between spanking and corporal punishment and/or child abuse. Certain factors also seem to play a role in how children who are spanked will develop later in life. One of the most important of these factors is the quality of parenting that is given. For example, children who experience positive parenting such as positive displays of affection, emotional support, and positive verbal encouragement tend not to be as affected by spanking as opposed to children who are raised in more harsh environments. (McKee et al.; 2007) However, although research has shown different and often opposite outcomes on the effects of spanking, the most important thing to remember is that child abuse can have extremely detrimental affects on children.

Myth: Reasoning with a child will make them think they are in charge.

Myth: Parents shouldn’t tell their kids “no”
Authoritarian parenting errs on the stricter side of parenting, involving rigid and demanding parenting. According to Baumrind, she describes these types of parents as "obedience- and status-oriented, and expect their orders to be obeyed without explanation" (Baumrind 1991 p. 62). With respect to the first dimension of parenting styles, they are low on the responsive scale by providing less affection, praise, and attention to their child's individual needs. They also don't allow much negotiation or choice within the strict rule structure at is set in place. When their children are commit wrongdoing, they tend to punish their children by not displaying affection. With the second dimension of parenting styles, they are very high on demandingness since expect their rules to be followed without question; one could think of a drill sergeant as a model of what they'd be like.

Myth: Bribery is the most effective way to get your children to behave

Myth: You'll spoil your child if you pick them up when they cry.
You cannot spoil an infant. Responding to an infant cry is NOT a reinforcement for more crying. Infants use crying as a form of communication to signal to their caregiver that they have a need. By refusing to soothe a child that is crying, parents are not teaching independence, but rather will only teach their child anxiety and mistrust. In order for a child to gain confidence, parents should respond quickly and consistently to the child's needs. Research shows that responding to your child's needs with consistency and promptness is associated with a decline in the frequency and duration of infant crying (Bell and Ainsworth). Always respond to a crying infants needs and you should see a gradual decrease in crying from birth to 12 months. After the child is about 6-12 months, you can pull back a bit and let the child begin to figure out that they will be fine.

Myth: Children need to learn how to fend for themselves; Children need touph love