Quote:
Originally posted by James
[B]Rules need to be translated into actions in order to work . . .
For example, you can't raise a child by telling him what not]/b] to do. You have to teach the child what he can do and how to do the things he wants to do in an acceptable way.
Well you can if you want to be an inadequate parent. 
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Truth is, you have to do a fair amount of both. Safety, for instance, is not intuitive, particularly to young children. A lot of ideas do not come naturally. You have to "explain" why it's not OK to hit your playmates.
That learning curve continues throughout life. The method of "explaination" (and comprehension) changes -- but the guidance is still necessary. Hasn't that been the reason for teen/parent discord? Isn't that why a lot of people "hate" their boss?
But they do learn. And that's the intent.
By the way, I've been both boss and parent -- and it isn't much fun always being the authority figure. But "someone has to do it."
Been there, done that, got the scars.