Knowing
the Rules and Consequences!
Disciplining
and punishment are the same right?
Wrong!
We
cannot use them interchangeably. The goal
of punishment is to penalize a child for misbehavior. The goal of disciplining is
to shape behavior. In my practice I do
not advocate for punishment. My families
tell me that once they learn to use discipline they find it more powerful than
any punishment.
Some
tips:
1)
Parents, for discipline to work you need to be clear about what
specific behavior you are trying to modify and what behavior you wish to achieve.
2)
Find a consequence that is effective for YOUR child.
3)
Be clear in your definition of acceptable and unacceptable
behavior
4)
The intensity of the physical pain for the consequence doesn’t
make a difference.
5)
This has to be consistent. A child needs to hear something over and over
to make the connection and children test limits.
Why
does this work? Behaviors change when
children know the ‘rules’ to follow and what will occur when they do not. Please help your children grow by offering
them rules/expectations, consequences, and consistency.
