We all know from the rule books what good discipline basically requires:
It’s best not to carry on long diatribes explaining your consequences.
Discipline should be delivered swiftly and end with a dose of grace.
Time-outs wear out if you use them to much, as do naughty steps.
If you choose to spank, know that you’re controversial.
Words can be more painful than a hard, swift swat.
Don’t belabor the point until you’re white noise.
When it’s done, let it really and truly be done.
But I just learned one the rule books missed:
No little kid will take you very seriously
If you punctuate a tongue-lashing,
Eyebrows raised Supernanny style,
Voice stern and words steady,
With an unexpected
Elongated
Fart
The Second Magpie 