Use a variety of discipline strategies with your child
Wondering how other parents discipline their middle schoolers? Try these
discipline strategies:
- The Rules Strategy. Decide on the rules your child must follow. State
the consequences for breaking these rules. Always apply consequences when
rules are broken.
- The Domino Strategy. Knock over one domino and others will fall. In the
same way, your child’s actions (or lack of actions) will make other
things happen as well. If she never puts her dirty clothes in the laundry
basket, they won’t be washed. (Don’t use the Domino Strategy
if the consequences could affect your child’s safety.)
- The Catch Them Being Good Strategy. If you want to see a behavior again,
pay attention to it. Instead of focusing on what your child does wrong,
make a point to notice what she does right. She’ll want to do it again
and again to earn your praise and respect.
Source: Tom McMahon, Teen Tips, ISBN: 0-671-89106-5 (Pocket Books, 1-800-223-2336,
www.simonsays.com).
(Reprinted with permission from the September 2004 issue of Parents Still
make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) newsletter. Copyright
© 2004 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc.)