Say What you Do and Do What You Say
Others use “Say What you Mean and Mean What You Say” instead of “Say What You Do and Do What You Say” and there are other ways of saying the same thing, but it’s all about being persistent and consistent and showing your kids what to do by do it and doing whatever it is you said you were going to do.
I hear stories all the time about how parents say things like “If you don’t behave, we’re not going to go to …” and then the kid continues to fit but they would still all go to wherever it was like Disneyland, the trip that was booked 6 months ago that you will never ever cancel! Why do we do that? I’m not sure, but it probably is a stress thing and it’s not easy to stop yourself in the moment. I know it’s not easy, I’ve been through it myself and I’m sure I’ve said things like this a few times but that’s what’s great about having young kids again after raising two wonderful daughters.
I’m not perfect
I know that even if I wasn’t perfect, my two older 
daughters turned out to become balanced, smart and successful young women today. I feel blessed to have had this experience now that I am raising two new angels into this world. They are wonderful little girls and their big sisters love them too. I am more able to stop and think before saying anything as I am older of course, but I’ve also gotten the experience from earlier to count on, something you might not have.
How to stop Yourself
If you want to stop yourself, you have to make a habit of taking a second before replying and think “Can I actually do what I’m about to say as a punishment?” if you can’t answer an absolute YES, then stop yourself and say something else like “if you don’t stop that, you’ll need to go in time out” that way your child will not learn that you’re not going to go through with punishment so there’s no sense in listening to you.
Hope this has helped some of you. Comment below with your stories.
