[Detector]

I agree that being able to talk with your children about right and wrong, rather than physical discipline, would be the best scenario, but first they've got to be old enough to understand what you're saying, and by then its too late for simple words.

When your 2 year old reaches for that boiling pot on the stove a verbal explanation isn't effective. That 2 year old can't understand the concept of being burned. A sharp slap on the wrist with a stern "NO" will be remembered. They may not understand what they did wrong but they will understand it hurts if they do it. Tough love!!!

Its nice to think our children will choose right from wrong based simply on their fear of disappointing their parents. Great on paper not so great in real life. When kids are faced with a decision of right or wrong generally the last thing in their mind is being caught. If being caught was on their minds then chances are they wouldn't do it anyway. They've got to be taught wrong is wrong because they believe its wrong and they will be disappointing themselves.

Mennonites have always amazed me. I see lots of families here at work and I am simply amazed at the huge difference in behavior. I see one family whose kids are running wild fighting over the toys and ignoring their parents plea to stop. Over on the other side I see a Mennonite family quietly setting their with kids showing remarkable behavior. How do they do that?

I also work with many young and old Mennonites and they are simply some of the best examples of human beings I've ever met. How in such a screwed up world do they continue to maintain the discipline they do?