When the Kids Get Out of Line, I'll Smack Them in the Nose With a Rolled-Up Newspaper

The New York Times ran a couple of articles this weekend regarding a more offbeat source of parenting advice: Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer.

One article, in the Times' Sunday Styles section (where you'll find the wedding announcements for people richer and more successful than you'll ever be) lists the growing number of parenting blogs and experts who are unafraid to admit that the suggestions Milan offers to control your canines can also apply to corralling your kids.

The article notes that Milan delivers a "philosophical holy trinity — exercise, discipline and affection equals happiness." Or, as one blogger sums it up, "how to be the pack leader in your own house."

The comments on the Times' Motherlode blog on this issue, as usual, run the gamut, but I see some validity in this kind of advice. This weekend we had numerous particularly rough moments with the kids, and more than one time Jenn and I looked at each other and asked ourselves, "We're in charge, right? Don't we make the rules around here?"

The main thing we strive for, though it's sometimes difficult, is to deliver consistency...and also not to yell (when yelling will exacerbate the situation). Overall, though, it seems (as I'm far from a dog lover so I'd only consider books by the "Dog Avoider") that it's about establishing your authority. I can't say I never misbehaved (nor can my parents or teachers), but I always, always knew who was in charge in my house.

My parents or my older brother. Read more...