10 Commandments of Child Discipline

Child discipline is effective when it is...

1. .. motivated by love: i.e. not by concern of appearances, convenience, or control, which are all selfish motivations: "you are affecting me!".

2. .. administered with care: not in anger, not humiliating, not jumping to conclusions, assumptions.

3. ... backed up by a consistent modeling: i.e. no parental cursing, arguing, anger, disrespect, etc.)

4. ... proportionate to the wrongdoing: Small infraction, small consequence

5. ... understood beforehand: Clear expectations, clear consequences (if / then chart).

6. ... administered consistently:

7. ... in the context of a healthy relationship: i.e. balanced by healthy time spent wcith child. "rules without relationship equals rebellion"

8. ... incorporating healthy rewards as part of the process.

9. ... administered with wisdom: right time, place, etc.

10. ... conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit before, during, and after.