A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

- Proverbs 15:1-4

Life is often frustrating, provoking us to anger, and our children are regularly both the culprits and the victims. Not all anger is sinful but, if we're honest, we know we cross over into the sinful kind more often than not.

Our children are learning from us how to respond when they don't get their way. Even when we should get our way - because that way is right or because we are the one in authority - we are called to respond with righteousness rather than sin.

At all times, but especially when correcting our children, we can choose to remember the power of a gentle tongue. In many of the situations we face, when they and God are watching, the right answer is quieter and calmer than what will come naturally. Sinful, unrestrained, anger begets anger. Wisdom begets wisdom.