It is morning and their household is full of activity, and also some drama. Dad is in the kitchen packing lunches for their three school-age children; Mom is helping the youngest find his shoes. The two other children are screaming at each other as they fight for bathroom time. Once at the breakfast table, another scuffle ensues over an outfit, and after-school choices create several additional conflicts.

There comes a time when every parent will grapple with how to best discipline their childr...