There's Always a Corner...

Discipline:  This word can be used as a noun or a verb( an act or an activity) and  there are many meanings to this word, such as; "activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill" or "behavior in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained by training and control"  But the definition that I like the best is "to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control"  

I think one of the hardest things about being a parent is discipline, because in the case of disciplining your child...actions speak MUCH LOUDER than words.  Ryan and I both 100% agree on discipline, we have always talked about how we wanted to handle naughty children :)  But more importantly we talk about how we handle good children.  At the Lafrenz house we have a rules and if they are broken there is a punishment....dun dun dun....THE CORNER!!!!  But no matter where we are...there's always a corner:  in the mall, at grandma's house, at McDonald's...and so many more. We go by the rule of 3...Riley gets 3 chances, then he's out or rather in...the corner.  Let me give you an example:  The other day I wanted to put his shoes on to go to the store, Riley did not want his shoes on.  He got 3 chances to come, sit down and let me put the shoes on.  

      Mommy  "Last chance, come here and put your shoes on or go to the corner" Riley " NO!"  

"Okay...go to the corner"

We have a black step stool hidden by the front door for corner time, he sits there for 2 minutes ( a minute for every year)  No matter how uncooperative he is, he always willingly goes to the corner, kinda like he doesn't have a choice ;)  After the minutes are up we start over and he always cooperates after.  Some people don't believe in "time outs"  some people say they don't work.  I don't really think it's what you do, it's how you do it.  Consistency and Follow Through, if you said you were going to do it...do it. I will refer you to a clip from Modern Family.  Phil (the dad) talks big, but always follows through  http://www.hulu.com/watch/114111/modern-family-smoking   

We still have tantrums and we still have things to work on, but the corner will always be there to save us.

In this picture, Riley is in the designated corner in the basement...