Description of discipline technique:
The very best "discipline" consists of:

1. Empathy for the child's feelings, which are always legitimate.

2. Validation of the child's feelings so he/she knows that we understand and care.

3. Meeting the underlying need that led to the "misbehavior" in the first place. If we only punish the outward behavior, the still-unmet need will continually resurface in other ways until it is finally met.

In these ways - and only in these ways - we can bring about the genuine cooperation that we are all striving for. We will then be further rewarded with a life-long loving bond with our child. There are few greater joys in life than allowing our child to teach us what love is.

Appropriate age group(s):
All ages (adults too!)

Other suggestions or comments:
Please visit The Natural Child Project at http://www.naturalchild.org. Articles on discipline can be found at http://www.naturalchild.org/topics/living_with_children.html.