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Equality is the intention of all days: obligations must exist with pleasure; duties must be tamed by thrills. A life must be filled with all things necessary and all things enjoyable. This is the only way to secure happiness — and you strive always to achieve the perfect blur of balance.

Such balance must also be offered to your disciplining techniques, however; and the positive must be acknowledged with the negative.

Parents always seek to correct bad behaviors. They chastise children for the rules that are broken, offer the necessary punishments. This is to create a correlation between defiance and penalties; and it’s understood to be essential.

It’s not, however, to be singular.

While less than admirable traits must be dealt with, positive behaviors must still be offered recognition. When children accomplish notable tasks they should be recommended for them. This is a form of a reinforcement that will offer a far quicker connection — with parental respect becoming a wanted prize.

The purpose of discipline is not merely to chide. It is instead to inspire morality. This cannot happen, however, when worthwhile actions are dismissed (forgotten in the wake of one simple misjudgment). Balance must therefore be achieved — with parents willing to offer compliments and not just accusations. This is essential in helping children understand the value of behavior.

Discipline is necessary — but so is affection. The two are not mutually exclusive, defined to specific roles. Instead they must blend together to ensure that all children are receiving the proper care. Equilibrium must be sought… and obtained.