I think discipline is one part knowing what to do and one part carrying it out effectively. For me the breakdown often occurs in the execution. In the moment. At that moment in time when my son has just kicked his sister because she was going to hit him because he was pretending to shoot her because...

That's when the rubber hits the road. That's when I learn how well I can apply those great discipline ideas I read about just yesterday. How hard it can be to recall good advice when we need it most! Is it just me?

I have been reading Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay, and trying to apply some of their techniques such as staying calm and empathetic while allowing logical consequences to teach the lessons. For example, if my son is being antagonistic toward a sibling, I should say, “Uh-oh! How sad that you chose to be mean. Now you can spend 10 minutes in your room thinking about how to behave.”

Calm and cool. Diffuse the situation. But it's difficult to stay calm and rational in the moment when the child is being exasperating.

I can have all sorts of great ideas and strategies for dealing with tough behavior problems. But can I recall them in the heat of the moment? When he or she is pushing my buttons? When I'm down to my very last nerve?

What a challenge for us all to keep our wits about us in the moment when it's most needed! I pray for wisdom to be mindful, instead of reactive, in the moment. I guess it just takes practice.