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I think the majority of problems are parents who first succomb to the will of the child. Later on, disciplinary issue become more apparent, and the adults decide to implement punitive measures. Since the child has progressed for so long with no disciplinary instruction, such lessons occuring at a later date are lost upon the child, and an escalation of said measures has little effect.

Basically, it's possible that these parents dropped the ball from day one, only to have the problem blow up in their faces a few years down the road.

Thank you, and well done liberal parents!

In order for discipline to be effective, it must be consistent. In other words, the parents must be disciplined in order for them to instill any discipline in their children.

My wife and I use the same methods that have worked for thousands of years: consistently reward good behavior and punish bad behavior. If applied consistenly, ie, with discipline, it works every time.

The problem libotwits have is that they lie to their kids and their words are meaningless.

You only make rules you are willing to enforce. You only tell a child once. Whatever the punishment that was threatened you follow through with that immediately with no 2nd chances as soon as the rule is broken.

If I say ...That is whats for dinner, you eat it or go to bed hungry, that is exactly what I mean.( btw...I'll save it in the fridge and you will eat it tomorrow.)

It doesn't take long for them to learn to like most everything.
The same rules apply to anything I say. I only say it once and I never lie about what will happen if you break the rules.

Sounds mean? Not at all. They learn respect and trust because you never lie to them.

Agreed, strong and consistent discipline from birth means you don't have to really discipline them as much as they age, they understand the rules, boundaries and consequences for their violation, so you don't need to spend as much time on discipline later.

Do they still mess up? Sure... are there kids who are going to challenge authority more than others? Sure. There are no guarantees, but its been my experience, spare the rod spoil the child is an absolutely true statement.

I'd rather my kids understand from day one, you are responsible for the actions you take, and all actions have consequences, good and bad. They screw up and need punished, they understand exactly why they are being punished and know a punishment is coming even before I do. In fact, I make them repeate to me exactly why they are being punished before the punishment is laid down, because I want to make sure they fully understand what cause caused their fate, and reflect on it.

Fortunately, its worked quite well, don't need to punish them often at all, because they understand how it works.