Joanna Fortune: I find it difficult to keep my grandchildren under control

'Positive discipline is the idea that discipline should aim to teach the behaviour that you want to see - rather than punishing the behaviour you don’t want to see.'

Children thrive within calm, clear, consistent boundaries and limit setting.

Joanna Fortune

CHILD PSYCHOTHERAPIST

I've two energetic grandchildren aged four and six who I mind two afternoons a week. They often act up and refuse to do with I tell them. I want to put them on time out, but my daughter is against this form of discipline, saying it's too upsetting. Instead, she wants me to distract them with games or fun chores. I tried her approach, but the boys ignored me and continued misbehaving. I don't think I'm cut out for modern parenting.