[Albion Wilde]

The problem I see, over and over again, is either inconsistency or talking children to death. When your words are backed up by action, you don't have to yell or repeat yourself endlessly. It seems to me that women will talk a problem to death, or negotiate endlessly. Men are less reluctant to discipline, but they tend to be inattentive to their children

Bingo, and bingo!

[KsSunflower]

I agreee that clear, consistant, fair rules need to be communicated with eye contact.

Nothing worked better with my two boys. I would call them by their first name, get their attention, tell them to look at me, I would look them directly in the eye, and let them know exactly...in clear terms, what I wanted them to do or to stop doing, and end with "Do you understand?".

This still works today with my younger 16 year old son.