Did I mention that I love being a mom and that I have an amazing daughter? Lately, since Levi works in the evening, we have a movie night every week: we put in a good chick flick, have a few snacks handy and enjoy an mother-daughter bonding time.

One thing I have been worried about, though, (aside from the potty-training nightmare) is discipline: I don't want to be a "helicopter mom" who hovers around their child and eventually turns them into dependent individuals who cannot function in society, nor do I want to be the "authority figure" in the home who orders everyone around: "don't do this! Stop that! If you don't, then..." because those kids turn out even worse: they rebel against all form of authority. Thankfully, I found this amazing book, Parenting with Love and Logic, that explains how you can teach responsibility to your kids for them to grow with self-esteem and to become independent. I recommend it to anyone, really. Here's an excerpt:

"Love and Logic parents avoid the helicopter and drill sergeant mentalities by using a consultant style of parenting as early as possible in the child's life. They ask their children questions and offer choices. Instead of telling their children what to do, they put the burden of decision making on their kids' shoulders. They establish options within limits. Thus, by the time the children become teens, they are used to making good decisions."

...and another one:

"As our children grow older and gain more power over their lives and environment, the correct exercise of their ability to make decisions becomes even more important for them. Just as God gave us a good mind and the ability to excel, He has given us the capability to blow up the planet. However, a race capable of blowing up the planet is also capable of flying to Saturn. High success and high achievement carry with them the risks of abysmal losses."

I'm sure some of you, experienced parents, are just shaking your head. If you have some insights, please let me know...I am highly interested (and open-minded)! And if you have read this book, please let me know what you think and how it is working for you!