[TChris]

By far, the biggest mistakes I see parents make with regard to discipline are these:

• No clear, understood boundaries for behavior.
• No consistent consequences for violating what boundaries do exist.
• Hypocrisy. (Do as I say, not as I do)

If a parent explains clear lines of expected behavior, honors those same boundaries in his own conduct and consistently applies a reasonable, significant negative consequence for violating them, then he'll have very few problems.

Praise and attention during good behavior is another critical element, IMO.

(Yes, I'm a parent. I even have teenagers!)

[68skylark]

Your suggestions are wonderfully clear and right on the money, IMO.

[P8riot]

It needs to be timely too, so the kids associate what they did with the punishment, none of this "wait 'till your father gets home" stuff. When my 4 yr old disobeys he gets it right then and there, from either Mommy or Daddy.

[William Terrell]

Hypocrisy. (Do as I say, not as I do)

Don't ever let this principle take root in your kids. There are numerous things you can do that you should not let your kids do, and rightly so.