Finish the follow-through once you begin it. Although it is important to give children enough time to respond, it also is critical to enforce rules once you progress to the follow-through phase of the...

Finish the follow-through once you begin it. Although it is important to give children enough time to respond, it also is critical to enforce rules once you progress to the follow-through phase of the sequence. If you have begun to say, “Remember, I told you . . .” and the child vows never to do it again or says, “Okay, okay, I’ll do it,” continue to implement the consequence calmly and firmly. Do not get sidetracked at this phase by other issues. Reflect the child’s concern or promise, thereby acknowledging it, and then point out that the consequence is for current behavior, not future actions.