Teachers are expected to reach unattainable goals with inadequate tools. The miracle is that at times they accomplish this impossible task.

When gentle persuasion [of children] falls on deaf ears, we resort to ridicule and rebuke. Then we return to threats and punishment. This is the modus operandi of a mutual frustration society.

Teenagers crave independence. The more self-suf-ficient we make them feel, the less hostile they are toward us.

If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others.

Only if a child feels right can he think right.

Each of us carries within himself a collection of instant insults.

To sense when a teenager needs understanding and when misunderstanding is a difficult and delicate task. The sad truth is that no matter how wise we are, we cannot be right for any length of time in our teenagers' eyes.