A new baby is truly a miracle. From the moment you learn of the little one’s existence, you begin to dream and plan. Will she be a doctor? Will he be handsome and intelligent? Parents-to-be spend countless hours dreaming of the baby they will soon meet and discussing the most important thing of all – what should we name our baby?

No one technique of discipline can be relied upon for all situations. The wise parent develops a functional set of skills suited to different situations. Remember that the best discipline is prevention and there is "no one size fits all" when it comes to promoting positive behaviour and self-responsibility and responding to unacceptable behaviours.

Rewards do not have to be part of a behaviour modification technique. Rewards can be used to express approval for certain behaviours or actions. Rewards are positive responses to positive behaviours and they don't have to be tangible or concrete actions. Like praise, some parents may not think about rewards as a discipline technique

The horrendous scene out there of industrious young women in the middle and upper middle classes, obsessed to create super-kids scares me. I am not trying here to be all knowing, but am speaking from not only first hand observation but a first hand experience of being a victim of the same scenario.