If you do resort to physical punishment, the danger of losing control and hurting children physically is great. The danger of hurting them emotionally is even greater. This does not mean children should be left undisciplined. Reasonable discipline can help children feel safe, more self-assured and freer to work out their personal problems. Children are more comfortable when they know what is expected of them.
All children try to test limits.
Children who have suffered broken ties are apt to test even further. In addition, when children are placed in foster care, they may regress and their behavior become worse. It is not possible to correct everything at once. It is a good idea to decide on some basic house rules . Hopefully they will be very few and very clearly stated.