How Do You Punish Your Child/Children When They Misbehave Badly?

cudos to you for being a stay at home dad! we used to spank our girls when they were younger, but now we make them sit on the stairs for a time out...having them banished to their rooms is not punishment as they have a plethora of toys there...the stairs there is nothing to do... try and count to 10 before you get upset, i know its usually easier said than done, but it does help.

Hi, sorry to hear that you have to under go all this and that too alone, single handedly, and i agree things do get tough at times and we tend to loose our patience, but i dont think that caning or screaming at them would be a good solution. As kids maybe are scared for a while, but then they get so used to all this that even caning or whatever measures that you are taking now, will have no effect on them. I would suggest, what i used to do with my two daughters ( though girls arent as naughty as the boys) Was the time out method, or even give them a warning and there after take serious measures, like stop them viewing their favourite Tv programmes, or stop their treats for a week, or stop their favourite food etc, anything that they like or love to do, put a stop to that. So i would suggest that maybe you can try these measures and see if they work too.

Hi there, I have a couple of book recommendations: http://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Kids-Will-Listen/dp/0380811960/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/105-8174579-5203638?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187058453&sr=8-2 and http://www.amazon.com/Playful-Parenting-Lawrence-J-Cohen/dp/0345442865/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-8174579-5203638?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187058509&sr=1-1 The first book suggests tons and tons of ways to deal with specific discipline situations using natural consequences instead of punishments. It gives you ideas of things you can say when the kids are acting up, so that you're more likely to stay calm and teach them instead of reacting to them. The second book has really helped me pull myself out of negative moods and change the atmosphere in my home. I find that I'm happier and the kids are better behaved, when I take things less seriously and humor to solve problems. My husband travels a lot, and I don't have much access to babysitters, so I also struggle with keeping my temper after I've gone too long without a break. I certainly find that if I can control my own reactions, that the kids are easier to be around.