Tips on how to be mum and dad

[beingsetup]

i'm good at the cheerful encouragement etc but hate the telling off and being firm, and i end up feeling really ugly and not wanting confrontation with the kids, which is not good.

i have four strong willed kids any tips on how to manage behaviour without overdoing it and and having to tell myself off for being a ranter?

p.s. i mean shouting here lol i don't hit them

This will change as your children mature, hence it maybe useful for other posters if you let people know what age the children are.

i think you have to instil in your dcs the idea that when you are firm, you mean it. be very consistent. so when you give a consequence for something, you follow through. you don't have to be mean to be a good disciplinarian. my mum's motto, is firm but fair, and she always was. we always knew she was being firm for our own good.

4 boys under 8 who are all really active and noisy....... which is why i resort to shouting just to make myself heard but i totally hate shouting and nit picking and want to find a better way of parenting them....thanks for all the advice

Eeek, wooh 4 boys all under 8, ouch that hurts my brain just thinking about it. I don't think I have anything that could be described as advice, just sympathy for what must be one hell of a challege.

as has already beens said - firm but fair, and ALWAYS follow through on your 'threats'...

NEVER underestimate the power of bribery, and if my ds2 is anything to go by, just counting to five is enough to put the fear of god into him....

And sometimes, sometimes you have to shout and holler at them...