No matter which of the five main types of discipline you use, it won’t work if you aren’t consistent. Consistency is one of the more important keys to addressing child behavior problems. Consistently setting limits, giving effective consequences and enforcing the rules all day every day can be tough, however. Examine what gets in the way of being consistent and take steps to increase your discipline consistency.
1
Establish House Rules
Establish house rules so that you can consistently respond to unacceptable behavior. A written list of rules ensures that kids are clear about what is expected of them. When you make exceptions to the rules, announce it ahead of time. For example, say, “Even though bedtime is usually at 8 since next week is school vacation you can stay up an extra hour.” This shows kids that there can be planned exceptions to rules and that you’re in charge of deciding when those exceptions should take place.
Provide Structure
Kids do best when they have structure and it will make it easier to discipline consistently.
Incorporate healthy habits as part of their daily routine and kids will be aware of what you expect from them.
Establish a schedule that sets aside specific time to do certain tasks. Younger kids need consistency with nap times and mealtimes. Older kids benefit from a schedule to remind them of when to do homework, complete chores and take care of other responsibilities.
3Develop a Plan
It’s easier to be consistent when you have a clear plan about what negative consequences you’ll use to deal with misbehavior. Be prepared with logical consequences, time out, or active ignoring depending on the behavior. Also, consider positive reinforcement for good behavior, such as a reward system or token economy system.
4
Work With Other Caregivers
When possible, establish consistent rules and consequences among caregivers and environments. If the teacher, daycare provider, and extended family are all on board, it can help change behaviors fast. For kids whose parents are divorced, it’s best when both households use similar rules and consequences. Talk to other caregivers about developing a behavior plan to address specific problems.
