Almost all children can be unreasonably demanding and difficult at times. And a child’s excessive demands can wear out even the most patient of parents. Parenting our children in today’s society is very different from parenting in our parents’ time. The old rules may not necessarily work with the new youth. What should you do? Spare the rod and risk spoiling the child? Or spank, punish and impose your will? How do you tread the fine line between discipline and abuse? Living with Discipline Issues offers sensible advice on handling temper tantrums, ways to handle children who lie or steal as well as effective discipline strategies you can use at home. Revised and updated, Living with Discipline Issues is part of a series of handbooks on mental health in children written by mental health professionals from the Child Guidance Clinic.

Dr Parvathy Pathy is a Senior Consultant at the Child Guidance Clinic, while Ms Poh Chai Hong is a Medical Social Worker at the same clinic.