Monday’s Parenting Thought

Natural and logical consequences:

1. A child knows the rule and what the consequences will be for breaking that rule – long before there is any issue about following the rule.
2. A child understands how the consequence is connected to the rule
3. A child’s choice to break the rule is what makes the consequence happen.

Punishment:

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici\Free Digital Photo.net

1. A child doesn’t really know ahead of time what the consequences will be for breaking the rule.
2. How the rule and the punishment are connected is not easily understood.
3. A parent makes the punishment happen.

Inspired by the picture book, MORRIS THE ARTIST.

More about discipline at The Benefits of Art, Choices, and Discipline: Part III.