I think the problem is that too many parents want their kids to like them or let them hold the parents hostage by threatening to put up a fuss out in public, so they don't say 'no'. So the parents cave in all the time when the child cries and screams, the child is rewarded for bad behavior, and the child turns into a monster. Whereas, if the child knew one specific phrase "if you ask one more time, you won't get it at all" or "do you really want to go there", the child knows that it means a definite no or certain punishment (taking away a favorite toy, can't move off their bed for the remainder of the day, no tv) if they act up. My parents had a pretty good balance of love and discipline, we acted up at our own risk. Sometimes whacking your older brother was worth no Sesame Street though.
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