Parents usually ask about the balance in being strict to their children in terms of discipline. Too strict is not good and too lax is not good either. But my take is the kind of personality of the child or children. There are kids who are obedient so it is obvious that you need not be strict with them. For the mischievous kids I guess you need to be diplomatic in order for them to understand good behavior. A hands-on parent would easily know the style of discipline for their child.
We do discipline our children. We're strict. We never spare the rod of good discipline. When they misbehave we call them up and point their mistakes and ask them on what they're going to avoid being punished or being scolded. We know that letting them know what is right and what is wrong is giving them the opportunity to be heard and respect their decision or commitment of not doing their misbehavior. We do appreciate when they admit ot acknowledge their mistakes. We praise them if they do. We never find faults in them, instead we talk to them and anything that we as their parents could be of help.