The Steele Deal

My Philosophy After 40 Years in Practice

By Dr. T. Steele Petry

I practiced medicine—particularly family and pediatric care—for over 40 years. Here’s my philosophy, plain and simple:

Children are sponges.

They soak up what they are shown, taught, and exposed to—both the good and the bad.

Children are like dogs.

They respond to consistency. They act how they’re taught.

If they get what they want through misbehavior, they’ll keep misbehaving.

If the only way they get attention is by being oppositional, they’ll stay oppositional.

People, in general, are like dogs in a pack.

They need to understand who the alpha is in the relationship at all times. That doesn’t mean fear or force. It means clarity. Consistency. Calm, firm control.

Just like you should be able to take a dog’s food away mid-meal without a bite,

you should be able to take away a child’s toy—for reasons of safety, structure, or discipline—without a tantrum. That’s not cruelty. That’s leadership. And it has to be taught.

Consistency is the key.

There should be no confusion about who is in charge.

I am not advocating physical punishment or abuse. I’m a strong believer in the power of love, praise, and the occasional “treat.” But just like my dogs, who have never been harmed but know their boundaries, a child may need a firm hand—not to hurt, but to redirect.

Kindness matters. Consistency matters. Love matters.

The child is a sponge—and they will soak up everything you pour into them.

And yes…

There’s always the occasional outlier.

Some kids are born more difficult.

Pray it’s not one of those.