I am more strict with my boy than before, but now I understand that being strict does not need to create distance.

Any punishment I give him, comes with multiple warnings and an exit path so that he knows that he is never fully condemned.

When he tries to hit me, I hold him and ask him to tell me when he is calm.

When he shouts at me, I give him a better way of saying what he is trying to say.

When I make him sit to think about what he’s done, I sit with him and let him know that it does not change anything between us.