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Discover the power of Natural and Logical Consequences as a discipline technique for children. Learn about the benefits and differences between the two approaches and how to effectively implement them in parenting. Empower your child to make responsible decisions and develop self-control.
Natural consequences are things that happen naturally without intervention. They can be used for people of all ages and abilities.
Examples of natural consequences…
no work = no pay
don’t set an alarm = late
don’t cook = no food for dinner
don’t buy gasoline = can’t drive
do a bad job = get fired
don’t do laundry = don’t have clean clothes to wear
don’t wear warm clothes in winter = get cold
Let’s see it in action…
Adult tells a group of children: “Get your shoes on to go outside.”
Most of the children put their shoes on, but Leon chooses to ignore.
The adult sees what is happening then tells everyone: “Let’s go.”
The other children start walking outside.
Leon whines: “I’m not ready.”
Adult tells Leon: “Bring your shoes. You can put them on outside.”
Dora does not want to wear her coat outside on a cold day.
I tell her you can wear your coat or carry it with you.
She chooses to carry it.
After 10 minutes she gets cold.
Then she decides to wear her coat.
Logical consequences are very similar to natural consequences except that someone must carry out the consequence. They can be used for all children and teenagers.
Examples of logical consequences…
A child is misbehaving at the library or somewhere fun.
Adult warns the child that they will leave if the misbehavior continues.
The child listens for a while.
Then the child misbehaves again.
The adult takes the child home.
A child repeatedly walks away to play in the middle of lunch.
Adult takes the food on counter.
If the child is hungry they will be upset.
When the child comes back to the table, give the food back.
*If they do not come back, they do not want to eat.
Ruth is playing in the bathroom sink. She gets the floor all wet.
I say: “You made a mess. Now you get to clean it. Use some paper towels to soak up the water.”
When I see her leave the bathroom I say, “Let’s check your work.”
She left paper towels all over the floor.
I show her how to wipe the floor and tell her to throw the paper towels away when the job is finished.
I ask Roy to pick up a puzzle he was finished using.
Roy: “I don’t have to.”
I take the toys Roy is using.
Roy says “Hey!”
I tell him “I don’t have to give you toys.”
Roy picks up the puzzle.
I give him the toys back.
Eli asked me to fix his toy. Ella fixed it and gave it back to Eli. Eli got mad and threw his toy. I said, “It’s okay to be mad. It’s not okay to throw. I will keep your toy until you are calm.”
Roy did not put his drawing away.
Roxy ripped it up.
Dora takes my purse. She thinks it is funny to hide my things.
I tell her “I need that to buy you toys.”
She gets excited and brings it back. If she didn’t bring it back, I would choose not to get her something that she wanted from the store.
Leon keeps asking me to use computer. I ask him to wait until I make a decision. He starts whining and keeps asking. I tell him “Since you are whining at me my answer is no.”
If he would have used better communication I would have said yes. When you give in because a child is crying it teaches them crying works, and they keep doing it.
It is okay for children and adults to make mistakes. When a mistake occurs, admit that you make one and move on. Focusing on mistakes does not solve problems.
Natural and logical consequences are forms of positive discipline. Everyone is capable of learning positive discipline. When you use logical consequences with children you are teaching responsibility and independence.
