Using Sanctions
Duration: 0h 0m 43s
Published: May 2020
Use sanctions as a last resort to encourage children to follow rules. Proper use of rewards can encourage children to follow agreed house rules.
- Sometimes rewards aren’t enough and parents may decide to turn to sanctions
- Sanctions mean taking away something that the child likes when they break one of the agreed rules.
- Sanctions should be used as a last resort to discourage persistent rule-breaking when rewards haven’t worked.
- Make sure everyone in the family knows what is going to happen. It’s vital that all adults in the family support the plan and don’t undermine it by changing their mind.
- Perhaps have a meeting to highlight this and to get everyone’s buy-in.
- Choose sanctions that are practical, reasonable and relevant – something the child will miss, and that you can deliver without inconveniencing the whole family.
- Stay in control and have a sense of authority in your voice. Don’t get emotional.
- Remind your child what rule they have broken and what the agreed sanction is and that you are putting into practice what has been agreed.
- “Time out” – removing your child from normal interaction in the family by getting them to sit on a chair or the step for a short period of time can be helpful. The amount of time you need will vary depending on the child’s age and temperament.
- Be consistent – always follow through on what you say you will do.
- Don’t overuse sanctions – they will lose their effectiveness and they may be perceived as heavy-handed by the child.
