[4_2_it]

Hopey,

Your post was the best one so far in this thread. IMO, a good parent cannot be to authoritative nor can he be their child's best friend. You have to strike a balance. I am still figuring out how to do that.

When my daughter does something that doesn't please me or her mother, we talk about it and don't discuss punishment (which probably drives her nuts) until we both agree that she was wrong. I haven't reversed a decision yet, but I have given her a much milder punishment if she demonstrates some remorse and acknowledges her actions.