Consequences...

Consequences…

· Show me a sharp kid and I will show you a kid with real consequences.

· Show me a kid with consequences and I will show you a kid that knows that they are loved.

· Consequences equal love, consequences equal connection

· Show me a kid with fake consequences and I will show you a spoiled child (a mess)

· Show me a kid who can pout their way to a fake consequence and I will show you a spoiled child (a mess)

· Show me a kid with no consequences and I will show you a mess

· Show me a kid with no consequences and I will show you a kid that wonders if they are truly loved; this confusion leads to real problems because they feel ignored

· My children know they are loved because the bar is high and the consequences are real and consistent; thank goodness for my wife!

· Real consequences lead to greater connection, results and long term happiness

· Fake consequences lead to frustration, failure and long term confusion

· No consequences early leads to bigger consequences later (do you want them to come from loving adults or from the authorities?)

My kids don't like consequences and I don't like giving them but give it 15 minutes to an hour and you will feel more love and have less of a headache than if you would not have given the consequence... and this lasts for the rest of your life.

Show me an adult who does not reflect humility and love and I will show you a bitter, greedy, pessimistic person who thinks that they personally have all the answers. We adults have consequences too. (That is why we Christians are the worst offenders of all adult groups. Most of us say one thing and then do quite another and the consequence is that people see us as being full of it.)

Pitfalls of the 2000's:
We show love through things instead of through genuine connection. (Kids like the stuff initially but give it time and it leaves the kid confused.)
We have grown soft in many different areas; easy, fast and fun is right and anything else is wrong.

Solutions:
Read with your child every day. Read every day.
Voluteer together.
Keep the bar high and be clear with expectations.