Being Tough Yet Tender in Discipline

Every conscientious parent recognizes how difficult it is to exercise his God-given authority over his children. The delicate balance of being tough yet tender is not easy to maintain. Many parents intensify a rebellious spirit in a child by being dictator like and by being harsh. Others yield when their authority is tested. When a strong-willed child resists, the pressure to give in for the sake of peace and harmony can become overpowering. It reminds me of the story of the mother who wanted to have the last word but couldn’t handle the hassle that resulted whenever she said “no” to her young son, So after an especially trying day, she finally flung up her hands and shouted, “All right, Billy, Do whatever you want! Now let me see you disobey THAT!” (Our Daily Bread).