When it's time to lay down the law with your kids, do you feel like you're negotiating with a tiny little dictator? If you feel like a pushover when it comes to disciplining kids, don't fret. It's not too late to change the way you react when punishment issues arise. Backing down to avoid conflict is not the way to handle kids, but it may be the easiest for a lot of conflict-averse moms. Childcare experts these days place a lot of emphasis on encouraging a child's self-expression and self-esteem, so it's hard to know how to strike a balance between hurt feelings and establishing clear boundaries. You're actually doing your child a favor when she knows what is expected of her and what the consequences are for not meeting those expectations. Children who practice self-discipline on a regular basis - in other words, those who can delay gratification - seem to do better academically, according to experts. There are a few tactics you can use to stop being such a softie.