Check out this Blog!

This lady is so funny! Some of you might have seen or read her articles/posts because she writes for Deseret News. I've read her blog a few times but I think it might become a daily ritual. She also writes about some interesting controversial topics which I enjoy. The following is from yesterday and make sure to check out this post and tell me what you think.

I really mean it this time!

Erin Stewart
DeseretNews.com blogger | Sept. 10, 2009 at 6:34 a.m.

The terrible twos. Somehow they crept into our house while I wasn't looking and now my husband and I are trying to agree on a discipline strategy for our daughter, Nicole.

We've hit some snags on our quest for the perfect discipline plan that will not only make her an adorable toddler and well-adjusted adult, but also make us look like amazing parents. We've gotten a lot of advice from, well, everyone, but nothing seems to fit just right.

One member of my family who will remain nameless (let's just say she may or may not have given birth to me) suggested a stern "No" followed by a classic "I'm going to count to three" maneuver.

This tactic, however, usually ends with me counting ridiculously slowly to three while Nicole misbehaves and laughs. I also throw in a series of escalating threats as I get closer to the dreaded No. 3. It goes something like this:

Me: Nicole, pick up your cup. I'm going to count to three. One. I mean it. Pick it up. Two. I'm really serious now. You're going to get a time out. I'm not joking. Two and a half. OK, no dating when you're in high school. Two and three-quarters. That's it; I'm really not joking this time. OK, there goes college tuition. Three.

I fear that in the end, I'll be left with a child who is grounded until she's 36 and has an irrational fear of the number 3.

We've also employed the tactics of a series called "Love and Logic." Basically, you empower the kid with choices and then deliver immediate and natural consequences when there is misbehavior.

But the trouble is this requires quick thinking. It's not easy to think of common sense, logical consequences for misbehavior when your child is slapping the dog's face while attempting to ride it like a cowgirl.

So what has worked for you? Tell me what discipline methods you've used and why they've worked for your kids. The one that can get my child to dismount from the dog before I count to three wins.