Many parents correlate being a strict parent with being mean. Thus, I encourage parents to be “strong” parents. I don’t use the word strict. Being a strong parent for your children means doing your job as a parent: Setting rules and guildlines for behavior, having high expectations, being consistent with consequences, reinforcing your children for following rules and for other successes, and so on. Strong parents don’t need to yell or act mean because their children behave appropriately most of the time. It is, as I like to say, a nice return on your parenting investments. Wimpy parents have spoiled and bratty children. They are not fun to be around. So be a strong parent and enjoy your children more (without having to be mean).
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