Children Crave Boundaries & High Expectations

The modern approach to discipline has created a nation of wishy-washy parents who are confused about how to be authoritative. Out of fear of sounding too dictatorial, parents now use the ever-popular sing-song voice when speaking to their children; and they end every demand by saying “Okay?” Naturally, this turns the demand into a question -- which results in giving power to the child, who then feels at liberty to say no. Do not do this with your children. Instead, set boundaries on your children’s behavior and expect them to comply. Boundaries – which can be enforced via rules and consequences – help children feel safe, particularly when they’re young. As they get older, the boundaries will change, as will the rules.

“Laying down the law,” or letting your child know you’re in charge, is not mean; it’s part of your job as a parent. You do not need to ask your children how they feel about a decision you’ve made; tell them what the decision is and expect them to abide by it. Having high expectations, which are age-appropriate, is a critical component of parenting. Only by meeting these expectations can children develop true self-esteem.