It amazes me how many parents in today’s age find parenthood so difficult.

Many parents feel that as long as they are entertaining their children by playing, taking them places, and buying for them, that they are fulfilling their parental role.

But where do discipline and responsibility fit in?

Laws that were originally designed to protect children have been twisted and manipulated to such an extent that there is no longer any line of demarcation between correction and abuse.

If you dare to raise your voice to your child in public, it may be viewed as abusive.

Many children who have been given an emergency hotline number by well-meaning teachers and members of the childcare community misconstrue the definitions of discipline and abuse.

Some children have tried using that well-meaning advice as a weapon, turning it into a potential noose around their parents’ necks.

While children should have the utmost protective care available to them, they should be educated further on such issues that need distinct clarification.

Children are being given too much control while parents are losing their grip on what little they have left.

Some parents create their own problems by not setting rules and guidelines for their children.

There are those parents who suffer from guilt syndrome.

If they say “no” to their child they feel guilty for denying them.

They feel guilty for scolding their children.

These parents tend to say, “I was raised by strict parents.

I don’t want to be like that with my kids.”

You can discipline your children without being an ogre.

What these parents are failing to realize is that lack of discipline is harmful to a child.

As parents, we set rules and limitations for our children because we love and want to protect them.

Just because a child wants something does not mean that they should have it.

To say no is not denying the child; it is protecting their best interests.

Children need discipline.

There are also those parents who think everything their child does is cute.

For example, when a very young child uses profanity, some parents will laugh or respond in a manner that the child can interpret to be acceptable.

Parents and others must monitor their own behavior and language around children.

After all, we are their role models – Click here to find snow day.

A child will pick up the habits and behavior patterns of the parents and other adults in the household.

Some behavior is not cute nor is it acceptable and that should be made clear to the child at the onset of a negative behavior pattern.

Many parents also have the attitude that bad behavior will just miraculously go away.

For some strange reason, these parents believe that ignoring a child’s behavior is the best remedy.

Hence, inaction = action.

While this concept may work in some instances, it will not work at all.

Inappropriate conduct that goes undisciplined usually only tends to escalate with time.

Family values do not have to be a thing of the past and parenthood does not have to be viewed as an insurmountable task.

If parents set rules and limitations from the very beginning and stand by them, parent and child will both be better off.

In situations where there are no rules and guidelines to follow, children become irritable and cranky and parents are more likely to burn out from an excessive amount of stress.

A noticeable trend in the parent/child relationship sometimes leads one to wonder who is the child and who is the parent.

More often than not, the children are attempting to dominate.

Parents must learn not to give in to a demanding child or one who throws a temper tantrum.

Even very young children learn the art of manipulation at light speed.

Of course, there is no such thing as the perfect parent/child relationship but one that sets guidelines lives by them and projects good examples will make for a less stressful, more pleasant family life and that’s in the best interest of everyone.