Consequences are a tool employed by parents to enforce rules and limits.
A consequence is necessary to help children make good choices and for times that their actions require it.
The parent should always be consistent with handing them out, as doing it only part of the time can be ineffective.
A consequence must be reflective of the behavior that has caused it to be employed.
It should coincide with the child's inappropriate behavior, and help to teach them how to improve undesirable acts.
It is not a punishment, but rather a way of helping a child understand what is not allowed.
Giving a consequence needs to help the child improve behavior.
If they have been out past curfew, it may not be the best to take away their computer.
Changing the time they must be home to an earlier hour until the child proves that they can abide by the rules you have set out is a far more effective strategy.
In order for consequences to work, there must be clearly defined rules and limits.
Once the limit is pressed, a consequence can be given to counteract the behavior.
If there are no rules, and sporadic attempts to correct behavior, this teaches the child very little if nothing about how to behave appropriately.
Rewarding good behavior is important as well, as it helps to reinforce desirable acts.
Rewards and consequence need to change as the child grows and matures.
They also need to reflect the act, and should never be too elaborate.
Keeping things simple and consistent are easier for everyone, and the child will not learn to expect a large reward for a small achievement.
Parents need to ask what they expect to teach the child when using a consequence.
If it is a mild case of disobeying, a mild consequence should result.
For serious issues like stealing and violence, it needs to be far more restrictive and unappealing to the child in order to convey the message that the act was serious.
Being too rigid or simply mean with a consequence for children will only teach them to rebel further.
There needs to be consistency, and if the child does not feel that they are constantly being grounded or other wise, they may be more likely to respond to a parent.
Ensuring that rewards are given as often as they are deserved will also help the child feel like they are doing things right.