>>>What I have noticed with my 2 children is they will do as we expect them to do with respect to their ages. As long as we can recognize when we set the bar too high and act/react appropriately, we will be fine and so will our children. When we set the bar too low, they are more than happy to underachieve.
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>>Wow, Mark, something I totally agree with you on. I'm a firm believer in setting high, but reasonable, expectations for kids.
>
>... and something that is not a "Wow" is this has been a really good and civil discussion.

If I can't discuss what I believe respectfully, then I must not feel very secure in my beliefs. I want to win hearts and minds by making my points strongly, clearly and politely.

> Maybe you "yankees" ain't so bad after all. :)

<g> You Southern folk, too. (BTW, I was born in Houston; my father spent his first 16 years in Bryan.)

> We try very hard to instill respect in our children instead of fear. It works so much better and is more rewarding. However, "discipline" and "consequences" are still an integral part in their young lives.

Yep.

Tamar