@Dutchess_III All excellent rules. Not always easy to live by, but excellent rules.
@JustmeAman There has been a decline in discipline, but I am not sure all that’s Dr. Spock’s fault. He was an advocate of Firm but Friendly Discipline. He certainly would not condone parents letting their children run wild in a store, breaking things with no consequences.
@ucme, @jonsblond, @Simone_De_Beauvoir, & @YARNLADY Great answers all.
@Trillian I really think you hit the nail on the head with the point of understanding that your child may not always like the limits you set, but that you must still set consistent limits. Your point about modeling humility when you ere is spot-on as well. Thanks.
@liminal I like your amplification on @Trillian‘s point about being aware we as parents are not perfect, and making amends as needed.
@wundayatta I think fear and intimidation will work with some children and others will be more strong-willed and be in open rebellion by their mid teens. Perhaps a rule to add is that each child is an unique individual human being, and one-size-fits-all parenting won’t always succeed.
@SuperMouse Excellent answer. If I may brag a bit, my son has grown up now, and I am immensely proud of him. He completed college and ROTC, got a great job, and is currently serving our country in Afghanistan as a 1st Lt. in the Army. I know we invested a ton of time in early education. He was a viola player from age 6, and I can’t count how many concerts and recitals we carted him to, how many trips for lessons. I know he felt loved though, and he expresses that love back to us now in so many touching ways.