The Modern Discipline: A CCFL Approach for Parents in 2024

Parenting in 2023 can feel overwhelming, with so much conflicting advice on how to discipline children. If you're like I was back in 2011, you might be throwing up your hands, unsure of the best path forward. We get it—and as Bonnie and Thomas Liotta, we're here to help. With over 60 years of combined experience in personal development, and having worked with thousands of children and adults, we’ve seen it all. 

What’s become clear to us is that the concept of discipline has drastically changed over the past few decades. In fact, the very definition of discipline has evolved, and today’s strategies can sometimes leave parents confused and frustrated. That’s why we’re passionate about guiding parents like you toward a more effective, positive way of approaching discipline.

Now, let's talk about traditional discipline methods. Whether it’s boundary-based, gentle discipline, emotional coaching, or behavior modification, most of these methods operate on the assumption that children are misbehaving intentionally. They focus on punishment or reward systems that often fail to address the root of the issue. Watching a TikTok video recently, I found myself on the verge of tears as experts gave conflicting advice on everything from timeouts to the use of negative language like "no" or "don't." It’s no wonder so many parents are confused.

What’s missing from these discipline methods is a universal success principle: setting goals. In business, we always set goals, yet when it comes to parenting, many theories skip this crucial step. Instead, they rely on outdated tactics like bribing, punishing, or lecturing. But what if there was a better way?

At Creating Champions for Life, we believe there is. Our approach is about guiding behavior, not punishing it. Thomas has spent his career working with children, running an award-winning after-school program that helped kids who were struggling with traditional discipline methods. What he discovered is that discipline should be about recognizing a child’s potential and guiding them toward positive behavior, rather than focusing on punishment.

Traditional discipline defines obedience as the goal, often using punishment to correct behavior. But negative actions don’t lead to positive outcomes. Instead, we should embrace discipline as an opportunity to teach, guide, and encourage. We see each child as a little genius, and every behavior as a learning moment. This approach shifts the focus from punishment to growth, which can be life-changing for both you and your child.

We’re here because we believe in empowering children to become the champions they were meant to be. Many teenagers today struggle with feelings of unworthiness because they’ve been raised in environments that punish rather than guide. But with the right tools, we can change that. Our mission is to support you in fostering a nurturing environment that helps your child thrive.

If this resonates with you, we encourage you to explore our resources and join us in guiding the next generation of champions. You’re not alone on this journey—we’re here to help every step of the way.