I have never had much influence on people. I have never been a leader. But I am a pre-K teacher and I should make the children follow my instructions. Kids like me and some even love me, I plan exciting, interesting and very creative lesson plans, I have a BS in child development and graduated with honors. However, the children don't listen to me. I repeat the same instruction over and over and it is as if I am just moving my mouth. I have to approach the child and hold his hand and say "It's time to eat lunch, come sit at the table" or "We take care of our toys, pls don't step on them" etc. I rely on my co-teacher for the discipline because she has a strong voice and authority so the children listen to her inmediately. Things are so bad that I have thought I am not cut out for this profession, I am a failure, because if I can't discipline a classroom of 15 chldren how am I going to teach them if they behave like a bunch of cave-children? How am I going to keep them safe if they fight, climb, throw things, etc and they don't do what I say? It is depressing, so many years invested in my education and I feel handicap. Sometimes I have felt as if I am afraid of being mean to the children, or too harsh, or hurt their feelings. I feel sorry to get mad at them. Or maybe I want to be liked and loved by them?? I didn't grow up with discipline. My parents where a mix of Indiference, neglect, permissiveness, rejection and aggression. We were alone a lot. Any suggestions?