This would be the question I am asked most often, usually by despairing parents at their wits end.

Discipline is a subject that many parents feel very passionate about.

Some feel the word should never be used in conjunction with children as it conjures up harsh images of punishment.

For other parents,however, discipline speaks of limits and consequences and they feel strongly that setting boundaries and routines is a sound principle of discipline.

How do YOU see Discipline?

It is often very difficult to see a way through deep seated behaviour problems such as refusal to eat, poor sleeping routines, temper tantrums, and stubborn refusals to co-operate.

So how can we as parents control our youngsters when their behaviour problems have become acute?

Click on the following text links to read more on discipline.

HOW to Discipline Children

• Read a case study about discipline that addresses this perplexing question.

There is a quick and simple answer:

Be Clear

Be Firm

Be Consistent

• Clear, firm, consistent parenting is quality parenting.

So how can we as parents discipline children by being clear, firm and consistent when our discipline problems have become acute?

Be being consistent, you learn to trust your own responses and your children are surrounded by your loving constancy.

• Responsive Parents who control young children with consistent, firm and clear guidelines, reflect their ability to make good choices in their own adult life.

These parents tend to show good self discipline in their own lifestyle and so for them, being consistent is a continuation of their normal attitude to life.

As parents we model behaviour for our children to follow. Disciplining our children is not about enforcing our will on them, breaking them, or punishing them into obedience.

Parents who realise this, control young children in a calm, clear and consistent way and reap the benefits of a warm, well adjusted and happy child and household.

• How to be Clear, Firm and Consistent
  Children learn best by being given clear, firm and consistent direction from parents who are clear, firm and consistent in their approach.

It is about setting up trust and guiding our children toward being able to make good choices for themselves. As our children develop a stronger sense of self we help them to learn the right way by matching our methods with their age and ability.

• Consequences for their own poor choices help to create children who are compassionate, empathetic and self aware.

Parenting discipline is about teaching through understanding, through setting limits and boundaries and through enabling empathy.

• Read more about your parenting style

When it comes to your children's behaviour problems, it helps greatly if you have the courage to examine your own behaviour.

Often it is your own negative emotional response to events that creates negative behavioural reactions in your children.

• How to Rectify and Change your own Behaviour?

It stands to reason that if a child repeatedly sees their mother or father act out of control, then they will copy and mimic this behaviour.

• Child Discipline - Anger Management

Often parents are at logger heads with each other over child discipline problems and their techniques or strategies for coping with them.

The children are usually very aware of their parents dilemma and suffer the consequences of this inconsistent behaviour.

Discipline is NOT about punishment Effective discipline has nothing to do with any form of physical abuse towards children. Discipline is NOT about smacking, spanking or hitting.