Ahhh - the raised voice! although my voice gets deeper the more times I tell Caitlin to do something, then she knows I mean business. I also have the 'angry face'.

I used to smack my two younger sisters when we were all at home, and the youngest one would turn around and tell me that it didn't hurt so I would just want to hit her harder. That has made me really not want to smack Caitlin. Although I think if she does something silly that puts her in danger, then I think a smack might reinforce the idea that doing that is wrong. I figure they're just going to get bigger and you'll have to hit them harder. I'd like to think I don't have to use fear for my girl to be good.

In July, before I got my first AF in four months, I almost lost the plot with Caitlin and put her in her room and sat in the lounge and had a cry, while she cried in her room. Then two days later, AF ! so I put it down to PMT.

Will read that article. sounds good.

Barb.