You are not alone in building a child's brain. If you're having trouble convincing your kids to talk more politely or to disagree less... If you are unable to figure out how to prevent your child from reaching the top bunk or convince him to change before opening the front door, If you're annoyed that you have to say the same thing over and over again, such as "Hurry! You're going to be late for school!" or if you have to have another argument over screen time, schoolwork, or sleep, You are not alone if you have encountered any of these annoyances.

You're common, in actuality. You are aware of who you are. a guardian. A parent and a human being. Determining how to punish our children is a difficult task. It is what it is. This is how it happens much too frequently: They do something wrong. We get furious. They get agitated. Tears flow. (Sometimes, the children cry.)

It wears you out. It enrages me. The whole ordeal—the screaming, the injured sentiments, the guilt, the heartbreak, and the alienation. Do you ever find yourself wondering, "Can't I do better than this?" after a particularly trying conversation with your children? Can't I be a more effective parent and better manage myself? Is it not possible for me to exercise discipline in a manner that reduces chaos rather than fuels it? While you want the inappropriate conduct to cease, you also want to react in a manner that strengthens and appreciates your bond with your kids.

Not destroy, but strengthen your connection is what you desire. Less drama is what you want to produce, not more. Indeed, you can. That's the key takeaway from this book: you can punish in a manner that's both kind and caring while maintaining firm limits. Put another way, you're capable of more. It is possible to discipline your children in a way that prioritizes relationships, and respect and minimizes drama and conflict.