General Guidelines For Discipline:

• Parents should set an example of respect for proper authority. Children do as you do, not as you say.
• Specify rules and expectations, making sure expectations are developmentally appropriate.
• Give brief and reasonable rationales for what you want your children to do.
• Don't argue about rules with your children. Also, refrain from lecturing.
• Discuss and make a list of rules with your family. Post these rules in a prominent place.
• Be consistent (as is humanly possible) in enforcing rules.
• Ignore minor rebellions, as long as your children follow through with what they are supposed to do.
• Praise and reward compliance. Notice the good stuff.
  • Use appropriate penalties:
  • time-out
  • loss of privileges
  • Grandma's Law (first you do what I want, then you get to do what you want).
• Try to remain emotionally neutral when giving appropriate penalties to your children. Limit testing is a normal part of child development.

Michael Rapoff, Ph.D.
University of Kansas Medical Center
KU Pediatrics Department