Rules and Punishment

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.