Discipline: Consequences, Privileges & Redemption. Discipline is to train, not to punish. Use consequences to curb behaviors you’d like to see less of, and privileges to encourage the behaviors you’d like to see more of. Redemption is a wonderful way to model God’s grace, and to reward contrition and repentance. Consequences can be as simple as ‘timeout’, the temporary or permanent loss of an item or privilege, or an extra chore. Privileges can include all sorts of extras like getting to stay up later, have an outing, spend special time with a parent or other family member (like going to Gramma’s -- wink, wink) or a longed for item. Redemption is your response to contrition or repentance. Rather than assigning an extra chore, a better way is to have the child do something for another. It can be as simple as getting a glass of water for a sibling in a very young child, to mitzvah’s and servanthood in an older one.

Winning an argument causes a loss in another area. Keep in mind you are still paying for the argument -- just in another area. Winning should be considered a last resort. The goal is always to share information and seek agreement. If you can talk to each other calmly, lovingly, and respectfully, it won’t escalate into an argument in the first place. If you have a lot of arguments or disagreements with any other person, you are lazy and wrong, even if you win.

Be responsible in all your encounters with others. In person as well as when using social media. If you don’t want your grandmother, pastor, or future employer to see it or know about it, don’t do it. By the same token, if it has to be a secret, you shouldn't be a part of it. There are many in the world who would like you to believe their deception about “privacy” or “secrecy”. Many people fall for these deceptions. To their horror they discover that their privacy has been compromised in some way. A credit card number copied and used without consent of the owner. A photo promised to disappear like magic, suddenly appears on the internet for the world to see. Classified Government documents are leaked. Private communications are revealed. The simple solution is: If you don’t want anyone to know, don’t do it.

Be appropriate. Crying in front of your child when your dog dies is appropriate. Screaming because you didn’t get the parking spot you wanted is not. Kissing your spouse in front of your child is appropriate, making-out is not. Current fashions can be worn without being an exhibitionist. By being appropriate at all times, you are a good example for your children and for all the people you will encounter throughout your day. This will also put others at ease in your presence, and it’s simply good manners!

Honesty IS the best policy. It contributes toward your integrity, and it doesn’t matter if your memory starts to go -- you don’t have to remember what lie you told, nor whom you told it to. This includes honesty in your emotions. Be genuine in every part of your life, including sadness and tears, as well as joy and singing (and in front of your children if you have them.)