How to Put Children on Restriction

Restriction offers a way for parents to change behavior, but the program requires you to set the foundation before you need to put the systems of punishment into operation. Restrictions limit movements or actions and punishments have a negative affect on your child, according to psychiatrist John Stein of the counseling and psychological services at the University of Pennsylvania. The goal of the restriction is to change the child's future behavior by calling attention to the misdeed at the time it happens. Delayed reaction or a hit-or-miss approach to placing children on restriction gives your child mixed messages about the importance you place on the bad behavior.

Things You'll Need

  • Poster board
  • Markers

Instructions

    • 1

      Target the specific behaviors you want to change, and develop clear ideas for suggestions to help your child change the poor behavior. Psychiatrist Ben Martin tells Psych Central that rules need to set clear "rights, rules and limits." An example of a clear behavior might involve asking your child to finish daily homework before dinner.

    • 2

      Design consequences to prevent your child from misbehaving. Child psychologist Dr. Laura Markham reminds parents to set limits, but to use empathy in setting the restrictions. Overly harsh restrictions frequently create counterproductive results where kids lie about an activity to avoid punishment. Vague rules or regulations that have a wide range for interpretation leave both parent and kids frustrated, according to Dr. Jim Morris, an expert in dealing with at-risk and troubled youth, writing for the Child Welfare League of America.

    • 3

      Create one list that incorporates the consequences for bad behavior and the helpful ways to change behavior.

    • 4

      List the punishments and link each to a specific misbehavior. Select easy-to-enforce restrictions that don't make the parents or other family members the brunt of the restrictions. The most realistic restrictions fit the nature of the misbehavior, according to an article on familyeducation.com, a Pearson Education resource. A punishment for failing to finish homework after school may include reducing the amount of media time later in the evening.

    • 5

      Write a formal document with your child's input that outlines inappropriate behavior and the resulting punishments. Discuss the reasons for the rules and alternative actions that show good behavior during this family session.

    • 6

      Make a written chart with a key-word summary of the information in your document, and post it in a public place at home. Narrow the important rules down to no more than a few key rules. Too many rules and restriction make it difficult for children to meet your expectations. As your child masters the behaviors on the list, introduce new rules to change problem behavior.

    • 7

      Impose the rules immediately when your child misbehaves by repeating the rule and following the consequences listed on your official document. Avoid delaying the restriction.

    • 8

      Talk to your child about changes in behavior that help avoid future restrictions during the punishment period. Be open to talking about the fairness of the rule and the restrictions. This discussion helps your child understand the reasons for the rules.

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