Give The Kids A Contract

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
Today • Monday • June 16, 2008

By Dr Bill Maier

Hey parents, if you’re still trying to “argue” your kids into minding, maybe it’s time to try a little “reality discipline”.

“Reality discipline” was coined by Dr Kevin Lehman, and it’s all about shifting the responsibility for bad behaviour onto your kids, where it belongs.

For instance, let’s say you can’t get your kids to keep their rooms clean. The solution is to clearly write out what’s expected of them in the form of a contract.

The contract could go something like this: “Johnny will clean his room to Mum’s expectations before lunch every Saturday. If he fails to do so, he won’t be able to go out with friends for the following week.”

You could also add an addendum that Mum will clean Johnny’s room and deduct a certain amount from his allowance.

All parties should then sign the contract.

What this does is hold Johnny responsible for his actions, and removes the need for argument.

When kids know what’s expected of them, and what will happen if they don’t obey, they will have no one to blame but themselves.