Every child will try out an unhappy approach to life from time to time. We must be wise and not let this go too far. Don’t react impulsively; act from your quiet knowledge of this child. You are the advocate for his inner strength. You step in and say no because you see that now he can do better. From your intuition and calm perception, you see that he has learned all he can from the mistake and now can use a firm hand to guide him.
— Hugh Prather, Spiritual Notes to Myself, p. 64