They do not abandon their children by being permissive. Neither do they use their power and authority to oppress and crush their children's dignity. They are guides, not tyrants. They balance strength with gentleness, control with freedom, disapproval with encouragement. The Tightrope Responsive discipline views parents as capable and loving.
Any parent can make hasty mistakes in discipline when overwhelmed by the pressures of childrearing.
Under stress we can become confused about our alternatives for responding to our children's misbehavior. The constant pressure can wear us down. Love sometimes means overcoming this adversity to provide what our children need. They may not be pleased with our choices. Love is better expressed by acting out of conviction, never through indulgence.