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Well, happy Christmas Eve, as some of us celebrate Christmas tonight with special

family meals, opening up presents, maybe some worship services, it's a special time. And for those with little ones who still believe in

Santa Claus, hopefully there won't be a lump of coal showing up in the

stocking. I'm John Fuller along with Danny Werta, head of our parenting department and Danny

There's something that I'd love to explore a little bit here. You suggested that discipline is just not fun but it's important to stick with it even on a day like today or

during the holidays why is that well yeah my kids frankly love the holidays I

mean we've given my pass on some stuff it seems

This is when kids really get an opportunity to practice how to how to deal with a variety of emotions

excitement and people coming over and having

patience to open gifts or patients at a church service. What the demands are at

Christmas time are super helpful for the demands that they'll

have later on in life and those being self-control and patients.

It takes a lot of energy, consistency, and preparation as you go into the holiday.

But you do have to have that sensitivity, and we've talked about that, John, that you want to be

sensitive to the fact that this is not the regular thing, this is not the routine, but what

you want to do is make clear that there are still some boundaries and there's some great

opportunities to learn some things.

And then as they do it well, then follow up with,

hey, you're doing a great job.

And maybe off to the side, encourage them, hey, you're doing great.

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