It’s time to stop smacking
Smacking does for your relationship with your child what hitting your spouse/partner might do for your marriage. There. I’ve said it. No. I’m not talking about the kind of hitting we might ...
What your kids need when they don’t do what they’re asked
Dear Dr Justin, My children don’t do anything they’re told. I’ve tried everything. I withdraw privileges and use time out and even smacking them won’t work with them. I’m tired of ...
Why Our Kids Need Us to Set Limits
Have you noticed that children seem to always want to push the boundaries? It's almost as though they are wired to poke and prod us to see how much they can get away with. Power struggles are an ...
How to discipline children effectively without using consequences or punishment
Hi Dr Justin, I’ve been reading your books and trying my hardest to follow what you say we should do. But I’m struggling with one thing. You say we should remember to discipline our children by...
Raising Children to Love or Fear
Are you raising children to love or fear you? Most parents have a deeper goal in mind for their children than mindless obedience. “I’m in my 40’s and I’m still afraid of my old man.”...
Our son’s mood swings and rude behaviours are impossible to deal with
Hi Dr Justin, We have been asking friends, family members and even Dr Google (!) for help when it comes to dealing with our 3yr 10month old son. We also have a 1-year-old son, and we sometimes ...
My favourite discipline strategy
The 'gentle reminder' is my number one discipline strategy for getting children's attention and getting things done. My friend Wally was talking with Jared, his neighbour, in Jared’s garage. ...
The Kids Are Out of Control
“Kids these days are out of control.” It’s the universal standard line about the state of our nation’s youth in many of our papers, from our radio talk-back hosts, and commentators of all ...
Should we “discipline” other people’s children?
Disciplining other people’s children is a tough issue. It takes a village to raise a child, but does that mean we should tell our kids’ friends how to behave? The way we approach this situation...
How to tell kids that aren’t yours what to do
Your 15 year-old son is hanging out in his bedroom with one of his mates. You are putting away the folding and give a quick tap on the door, open it, and walk in. You see your son’s friend ...