Plan for Discipline
1. Breathe. Pray.
Take time to calm down. Send child ahead to room, or pray with him.
Do not discipline in anger.
2. Assess the situation.
"What did you do?" "What’s going on?"
"Was that the right choice or the wrong choice?" Older ones: What were you trying to accomplish? What was important to you?
Is it childishness or disobedience?
3. Decide level of Discipline
childishness -
4. Discipline happens
5. Comfort and Reaffirm
Assure him of your love, review why you disciplined him. Pray with him. Listen to him. Assure him of your restored relationship.
"I love you very much. I want you to remember to obey. When mommy asks you to __________ you need to say ‘Yes, Mommy’ and obey the first time.”
Then pray for him, asking God to give him the power to obey, thanking God for His love that never stops even when he does not obey, thanking Jesus for paying the price the child cannot pay.
Download a printable version and modify it to fit your family specifics
1. Breathe. Pray.
Take time to calm down. Send child ahead to room, or pray with him.
Do not discipline in anger.
2. Assess the situation.
"What did you do?" "What’s going on?"
"Was that the right choice or the wrong choice?" Older ones: What were you trying to accomplish? What was important to you?
Is it childishness or disobedience?
3. Decide level of Discipline
childishness -
- Withdrawing Privileges – “Because you were _________(ungrateful) and I want you to remember to _______(show gratitude) the next time, I serve dessert you will not be able to __________(have a second cookie)”
- Added Responsibility – “Because I want you to learn to work with a cheerful heart, I am going to give you extra work this week to practice.”
- Rod of Correction/ Time Out – “You disobeyed me when I asked you to _________ and because I love you and God wants you to obey so you can be safe, I am going to discipline you.”
4. Discipline happens
- Rod of Correction – switch should be flexible & breakable, administered on the rear (not on arms, face, hands, etc), bring tears of repentance, not leave bruises. (Replace regularly, as it dries out, becomes stiff)
- Time out, at home – designated spot, isolated. Set timer for determined minutes (same as age is a good starting point), child is expected to stay in spot until timer beeps
- Time out, away from home – remove from chaos, to quieter spot. Set timer, child is expected to stay in spot until timer beeps.
5. Comfort and Reaffirm
Assure him of your love, review why you disciplined him. Pray with him. Listen to him. Assure him of your restored relationship.
"I love you very much. I want you to remember to obey. When mommy asks you to __________ you need to say ‘Yes, Mommy’ and obey the first time.”
Then pray for him, asking God to give him the power to obey, thanking God for His love that never stops even when he does not obey, thanking Jesus for paying the price the child cannot pay.
Download a printable version and modify it to fit your family specifics