Esther Nthenya, a therapist, says she has seen the best outcomes emerge when parents integrate both warmth and structure when it comes to how they raise their children.
“This means being emotionally available while also providing firm boundaries. Discipline is not about punishment but about teaching. Effective discipline involves open communication, helping children reflect on their actions, understand consequences, and learn better choices. Setting consistent rules and calmly enforcing them fosters both respect and emotional security. The goal is to shape behaviour without damaging the child’s self-worth,” she says.
