Different Strokes for Different Folks

3 Chongsters posing in front of a strange Christmas Tree

Although our children are somewhat 2 years apart, give or take a few months, there is a large gap in their motivational psyche - for lack of a better term, if that is even a real term.

So basically threatening all of them with a stick will not really be effective anymore. Especially with our pre-teen who 1) has a thick skin 2) would just stare at you blankly giving you the impression that what you are attempting to do is not working.

There used to be a time when everyone listened to the cane and it would be the quickest way to get something done. No longer the case.

Most effective punishments:

For Nigel: Phone confiscation. Or no Xbox.

For Shannon: More positive reinforcement and rewards. Any physical or mental punishment would result in a really long face, tears and extreme grumpiness which you have to wait to self-dissipate. I've seen Celest make her stand in the corner, although she would end up doing on the spot dancing and twirling.

For Amber: The cane still works, or standing in the corner. Her grumpiness is also quite the force, although it doesn't last as long as her sister's.

Such is the fun of figuring what makes each child tick.