Can someone give me some good parenting techniques for a child who’s behavior is horrible, and at times you can’t them to a restaurant, and sometimes it’s just plain embarrassing. I don’t want to ignore them, and I believe in a slight spanking but not in public and a lot of times spanking him only makes him more out of control. I really don’t believe in putting him on medicine because I am old fashioned I think the problem needs to be handled with out the help of medicine.

My 4yr old is so defiant and nothing works, I’d like to read a good parenting book, anyone have any good ideas?
I understand that 4 is a rebellious age, but my daughter is now refusing to sit in time out.

Basically, nature vs. nurture. Like, do you think a psychopath is born or made? Do you think some of the world’s finest could have turned out to be serial killers if they’d had a different upbringing?
Also, what kind of parenting do you think constitutes "good parenting" or "bad parenting?"
The person with the most thorough and well thought out answer will get the 10 points.
Kat: "mental illness" covers a whole range of illnesses, some of which are genetic, some of which are environmental, many of which are both.

For kids what are some good parenting techniques that are healthy?