Being a mom is a gift that should be taken seriously. The choices you make will impact your child/children for the rest of their lives. Each child brings his or her unique sense of self to enhance, enrich, encourage or even teach us!

While encouraging each child to develop his/her sense of self, as parents we have to rein them in when things go wrong.

I'm never big on slaps (but will give one to reinforce a point). I will first take away something the child likes for a while, like a toy or television programme. Though this hurts me more, it is necessary to teach acceptable behaviour.

When my 11-year-old was a toddler, we would sit and have a snack when I got in from work, but he hated when you tasted his food. On one such occasion, he threw the snack away then proceeded to roll on the ground, not responding to my 'stop it'. I got up, took the snack off the floor, and told him I was going to throw it in the garbage. That brought more screams and rolls. I stepped over him, went into the kitchen and threw the snack away, explaining that he had to learn to share and that the behaviour was not acceptable, it was rude. He has never repeated it.

My first son was almost a perfect child, smart (from kindergarten to the present grade six), caring and well-behaved. We decided we wanted another child, but my second son was a challenge. He has his own personality; he's stubborn and defiant so he gets punished more. This includes taking away his loves - cartoon and cars! These things, being threatened, he normally behaves. I try my best to encourage them by telling them I love them, I'm proud of them and they can do better. We read, play, kiss and talk to my kids. Children will be children and they live by example so because parents aren't perfect either we have to rely heavily on prayers. A mother's love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.

- Stacy Williams

Stacey Williams and her children (from left) Jaleel, step-daughter Khadeen and Jelani. - Contributed