Coloroso, 62, a mother of three grown children, says of this: 'My daughter Maria was on a production crew for a show that was dealing with issues relating to spanking children. She was stunned by the attitudes of those who would spank their children. My children grew up in an environment where hitting was never a tool for discipline.'

The international best-selling author had also never been hit by her own parents, as they 'didn't believe in punishment'. She teaches parents that punishment is very different from discipline, which she fervently advocates.

The grandmother says: 'When punished, they will resort to lies and laying blame. When it's discipline, they're actively involved in the process.'

She once disciplined her son when he broke a jar. Allowing him to 'take ownership of the problem', he had to write a letter and replace the jar with his pocket money.

'Grounding him for his mistake would not have solved the problem,' says Coloroso, who has been on The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss the problem of bullying.

She is the author of bestsellers such as Kids Are Worth It!: Giving Your Child The Gift Of Inner Discipline and The Bully, The Bullied, And The Bystander.

After years of working with children of all ages, she concludes that similar problems still plague parents everywhere. These range from sibling rivalry and getting kids ready for meals to making them do chores and teaching them about respecting others.

The expert on the topic of bullying will speak here on Saturday about 'parenting with wits and wisdom' and encourages parents to become 'more critically involved'.

Why does she not have a reality show such as Supernanny? She says she was invited to film a similar show but rejected the offer.

She says: 'My methods don't involve bribes, threats and punishments. You can't fix a family in a week.'

book it

KIDS ARE WORTH IT

Where: SingTel Comcentre Theatrette, Podium Block, Level 3, 31 Exeter Road

When: Saturday, 9am to 5pm

Admission: $50 a person, $80 a couple

Info: Call 6346-3040, go to www.parentsworld.com.sg or e-mail [email protected]. Registration closes on Thursday.