Remember, parents are people, too

• Your marriage relationship comes first.
   
• Children need to see that their parents love one another.

Parenting works best as a partnership

• Share responsibility rather than divide it; but don't "pass the buck" in the correction of children, lest one partner "become the heavy."
   
• Be open to suggestions and alternatives, from each other and from the children
   
• Discuss things with your children as they grow older.  Start to make joint decisions.

Call in arbitrators if there is a serious disagreement

• Remember, no one person knows it all. Sometimes talking things through is the best answer.
   
• Ask advice from your pediatrician or a trusted, understanding person who has experience with children
   
• Consult professional counselors or parish staff if you are unable to resolve difficulty.

Learn from past mistakes

• Don't assign blame or credit. Your decision as a couple must be mutual.

Remain Calm

• Never discipline a child while you are in a state of anger
   
• Unacceptable forms of discipline: violence, threats, verbal abuse, deliberate lowering of the child's self-esteem, name-calling, shouting, disrespectful language.