8 Creative punishments for kids that actually work. Being a parent can be incredibly difficult sometimes, especially when you’re trying to discipline your child but don’t want to punish them too harshly. So how do you discipline your child without it taking over your life?
Here are 8 creative punishments that will make your child think twice before they misbehave again – and still allow you to keep your sanity!
8 Creative Punishments for Kids That Actually Work
1) Cut off their screen time
Screen time is a precious commodity for kids these days. So when they break the rules, taking them away can be an effective punishment. But it can also be hard to stick to, especially if you give in and let them have their screens back after a few hours of good behavior. It’s worth it to make your point clear:
Choose a set amount of screen time (say one hour) that the child will lose each day. When they misbehave, go ahead and cut off the entire hour or two-hour block—depending on how severe the infraction was—instead of just a few minutes here or there.
2) Give them the silent treatment
Sometimes, the best punishment is no punishment at all. When your child is acting out, instead of yelling or giving them a time-out, try giving them silent treatment. This means no talking, no eye contact, and no response to anything they do or say.
At first, they will likely try to get your attention by being louder or more obnoxious, but if you can stick it out, they will eventually give up and calm down. You may have to use this tactic multiple times before they learn their lesson, but when it does work, it’s very effective.
3) Create a chore chart
A chore chart is a great way to help kids learn responsibility and establish a routine. Plus, it can be a fun way to get the whole family involved in helping out around the house.
Here’s how to create a chore chart that actually works First, write down all of the chores that need to be done on a whiteboard or chalkboard in your kitchen. Give each chore an amount of time that needs to be completed and list how many times per week you want them done.
4) Take away something they love
Taking away something your child loves is a time-honored tradition when it comes to punishment. But what if there was a better way?
A way that didn’t involve taking away something they love, but instead taught them a lesson?
You might want to try one of these out the next time you need to punish your child. They’re not only effective but also create an opportunity for learning and growth.
5) Lock them in their room
When your child misbehaves, it can be tempting to just lock them in their room until they calm down. But this could actually make the situation worse. If your child is acting out, it’s likely because they’re feeling frustrated or overwhelmed.
Locking them in their room will only make them feel more trapped and could lead to further acting out. Instead, come up with a plan to deal with the issue before you put them in their room so that they know what’s going on. Calmly tell them what they did wrong and then talk about how to avoid doing it again.
6) Eat dinner as a family
There’s nothing like a family dinner to bring everyone together. It’s a time to catch up on the day, share some laughs, and enjoy a meal. But if your kids are acting up, it can be hard to enjoy yourself. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 8 creative punishments for kids that actually work.
From having to sit at the table until everyone is finished eating to helping with the dishes, these punishments will teach your kids the importance of good behavior. They’ll also help you enjoy more peaceful dinners.
Think of ways to incorporate this punishment into your routine:
If you usually watch TV or take a break before doing the dishes, make sure there’s no food in sight during this time or after you’re done cooking. Then have your child finish what they started by picking up their own plates from the table.
7) Hand out ‘consequences’ every day
There’s no need to get too creative with punishment. Sometimes, the simplest consequences are the most effective. If your child doesn’t do their homework, they don’t get to watch TV that night. If they fight with their sibling, they have to clean up the mess they made. Consistency is key when doling out consequences.
You should be prepared to follow through every time or else you’ll lose credibility. You can also make consequences a little more fun by taking away something your kid loves in addition to what they’ve done wrong.
For example, if you want them to stop fighting with their sister, you might take away a privilege like playing video games or going outside on the weekends until they apologize and show an effort to work better together in the future.
8) Use consequences creatively!
If your kids are anything like mine, they’re always testing the limits. And while I’m not a fan of punishments, sometimes they are necessary. But that doesn’t mean they have to be boring!
Here are 4 creative punishments for kids that actually work -Put them in timeout: Just as you would put yourself in timeout when you make a mistake, it’s important to teach children what it feels like.
–Take away something they love: Think of something that is special and personal to your child (their favorite toy or their iPad) and take it away for an agreed-upon amount of time. Once the punishment is over, return the item with a hug and an I’m sorry.
It might seem unfair at first but eventually, it will sink in that there are consequences for bad behavior.
–Give them something gross to eat: My kid absolutely hates green beans so I tell him he has to eat one every day until he eats 10 whole ones. Of course, this also works with any food they don’t enjoy eating such as cauliflower or oatmeal.
Or instead of having them eat something gross, make it challenging by requiring them to finish all the food on their plate before getting dessert. You’ll be surprised how quickly they change their tune!
–Make them do chores: Give your children simple chores to do around the house. Make sure these chores match their age level and ability. For example, my four-year-old can help me sort laundry into colors and my five-year-old can dust shelves or vacuum.
–No TV/Game Time: Let’s face it, we’ve all done it! Tell your children that if they continue to behave poorly, then you won’t let them watch TV or play games for a week. Believe me, it won’t take long before they understand the importance of good behavior!
Bottomline On 8 Creative Punishments for Kids That Actually Work
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to parenting, and the same goes for disciplining your kids. What works for one family might not work for another. But if you’re looking for some creative punishments that actually work, here are eight ideas to get you started.
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