Before any discussion about discipline it must be understood that discipline implies teaching, not punishment. Hopefully, you have already been 'teaching' your child for some time. As your child grows older, discipline techniques that worked well before, such as distraction, no longer work. Some techniques continue to work, such as time-out.

One of the most important principles of discipline is that of 'consequences'. You did not allow your toddler to experience the consequences of pulling the dog's tail or touching the hot coffee cup.

An older child needs to learn, within reason, the consequences of their behavior. Not finishing dinner means no dessert and possibly experiencing some hunger pangs. Breaking ...