Children do not always do what parents want. There are different styles and approaches to parenting. Research shows that effective parents raise well-adjusted children who are more self-reliant, self-controlled, and positively curious than children raised by parents who are punitive, overly strict (authoritarian), or permissive.

• Often parents discipline children to protect them from danger.
• Discipline can help children learn to get along with others and develop self-control.
• Discipline can help children understand limits and learn acceptable behavior

•  Start sentences with “I”. “I” sentences state personal feeling. Like “I get upset when we aren’t on time.” Or “I feel bad when you____” or “I get angry when you’re late, and dinner gets cold.”
• Recognize the problem behind the child’s irritable behavior.
• If you are too angry to speak, don't. If your child is old enough to read, express your feelings in writing. Sometimes just the time required to find pen and paper will help you to cool off.
• Try to avoid absolutes like “you always” or “you never”. To a child, they often mean there is no hope for improvement, no chance of ever pleasing you, which is what kids really want to do.
• When you do lose it, reconnect with your child as soon as possible. If your child is young give a hug and kiss. For an older child, you may want to offer an explanation of why you were angry along with an apology.
• Don’t give the small child too many reasons.