What would you think if I told you that you have an amazingly powerful parenting tool, more powerful than anything you could imagine, but you have not been using it to its fullest potential?

Then get ready, because I’m telling you that.

Question: What would you like your child to think when he or she makes a good choice?A. Nothing at all.B. “That was the most stupid thing I’ve ever done.”C.

Whether the negative behavior cycle is just picking up steam or is already in full swing, you can take the first step in breaking it and restoring healthy relationships in your family. Despite your initial instincts, the first step is not to call the zoo to have them take your child away. Nor is it to get heavy with the discipline.

I've seen enough kids with negative behavior to tell you how the cycle goes. Read this and see if it triggers a deep, inner need for Advil. You tell Johnny to turn off the T.V.

Before we can teach our kids how to be respectful, we need to make sure that we are leading the way. One summer weekend afternoon several years ago, I picked myself up off the couch and began my weekly lawn-mowing duties. As I pushed the mower back and forth across the lawn, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye.

“That's it. Off to your room!” Sherry was done with Billy's disrespectful attitude. Like one of his action figures, Billy was transforming from a polite, mild-mannered boy into a why-should-I-have-to-do-anything-around-here future resident of Cell Block 9.

“Michael, will you please clean up your room?” “Not right now.” “Michael, I’d like you to get it done now please, before you go out to play.” “Why?  I was just getting ready to go outside.  I told you I’ll do it later.” “Listen Michael, I want you to clean up your room right now, do you understand?” “Aww mom, why do you always do this to me?