I remember a young father who took his 6-year old daughter for a walk. His daughter skipped and sang as they headed six blocks downhill. When they turned around to head uphill, she screamed. She whined. She cried. She demanded that her daddy carry her on his shoulders. He told her firmly, "I don't like the way you're talking to me. I won't carry you." Then he told her both firmly and kindly, "But I will take your hand." She refused to take his hand. She continued moaning and groaning. She even lagged behind. When he kept on walking, she ran to catch up. Then she pulled a new tantrum.

On the Discipline Stick, which looks like a ruler but doesn't spank hands, the young father measured Just Right. The numbers in the middle between 4-7 represent the wide middle road and Just Right. He didn't discipline too kind or not kind. He didn't discipline too firm or not firm. He disciplined with the secret formula - Kind and Firm.

Kind and Firm can be measured by:

The sound of your voice
The look on your face
The words you say
The emotions you feel
The actions you take

Kind and Firm:

You'll get the results you want if you remember you are the parent. Your children will learn limits and feel secure if you are consistent. You'll enjoy being a parent if you are Kind and Firm. You'll parent Just Right, using one of the best parenting skills ever, if you ask yourself this powerful question before disciplining:

How can I be Kind and Firm?

The Wrap-Up:

The 6-year old daughter had 2 more tantrums.
The young father stayed firm and didn't give in.
The 6-year old daughter stopped fussing and took his hand.
You too can be Kind and Firm.

To parent Just Right ask yourself this powerful question before disciplining:

How can I be Kind and Firm?

Never let your child's misbehavior get you down. Boost your parenting skills by using this secret formula. You'll be building character too.
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