Stepparent Uses Exercise to Teach Discipline

A stepfather has garnered attention on social media after an Instagram video showcased his unique approach to discipline involving physical exercises. It all started when the boy, perhaps feeling bold, told his mother to “cool” after she addressed his behavior. The stepfather quickly jumped in, questioning the boy, “Did you just tell your mom to cool off?”

The situation escalated when the stepfather instructed his son-in-law to complete push-ups and then move onto squats. “Count ’em,” he calmly directed after their workout. “Stay down,” he insisted, reinforcing the physical workout as a form of discipline. Following the exercises, the stepfather posed a question: “Would you tell my mom to relax?” To this, the boy responded with a firm “No.”

The stepfather reinforced his stance, saying, “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t let you speak to my girl that way. So, you can’t say that to her.” After the training session, the boy eventually apologized to his mother with a heartfelt “sorry, mom,” and the stepfather wrapped up the moment by expressing his love. “Hey, I love you,” he reassured the boy.

The video, uploaded to the family’s Instagram account, RaisingMaleticch, quickly went viral, amassing millions of views. The boy’s mother described the moment in her post, reflecting on her gratitude for having a partner who knows how to be a father. “I was juggling breakfast and an email when I overheard him telling our son to chill, and it was impressive to see his calm approach,” she shared.

Responses to the video were mixed. Some social media users praised the stepfather’s approach. One commenter noted, “He did the right thing. Amazing!” while another stated, “That’s a great punishment. Good job!”

Dr. Michelle Bolva, an educational psychologist and parenting expert, weighed in on the incident. She emphasized that discipline should not take a one-size-fits-all approach. She commended the stepfather for calmly addressing the situation rather than reacting impulsively. Bolva mentioned that the punishment could be more effective if it involved interactions that were enjoyable for the child, suggesting that familiarity might lead to a more positive outcome.

While the stepfather’s actions were seemingly well-intentioned, Bolva noted potential concerns about sharing such moments online. “Using the internet for humiliation changes the nature of disciplinary actions and calls into question the effectiveness of the punishment,” she cautioned. “It can lead to embarrassment rather than learning.”

Ultimately, Bolva stressed that discipline should always align with a child’s age and capabilities. It’s essential to ensure that consequences are respectful and responsible, reinforcing positive behavior rather than causing shame.