Three Strikes & You're Out

IN BASEBALL, WHEN THE UMPIRE CALLS THE THIRD STRIKE, THE PLAYER IS OUT. THE PLAYER GETS ANOTHER CHANCE AT HIS NEXT AT BAT. SIMILARLY, IN PARENTING, USING THE THREE STRIKE RULE IS AN EXCELLENT DISCIPLINE STRATEGY TO TEACH CHILDREN FAMILY LIMITS, RULES AND REGULATIONS. parentStrategy tips:

1. CLEARLY DEFINE ALL BEHAVIORS-FOR EXAMPLE: HITTING, SWEARING, REFUSALS TO DO CHORES, AND TALKING BACK. BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE.
2. LIKE THE UMPIRE, ONLY RESPOND TO MISBEHAVIOR BY SAYING “STRIKE ONE…” DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BEHAVIOR CAN TAKE PLACE AT ROUTINE FAMILY MEETINGS OR BEDTIME.
3. STRIKE THREE MEANS LOSS OF PRIVILEGES FOR THE DAY OR A TIME OUT. STRIKES ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE.
4. STRIKES CANNOT BE ACCUMULATED. IN OTHER WORDS, YOUR CHILD BEGINS EACH DAY WITH NO STRIKES.
5. THE STRIKE THREE PROGRAM WORKS WELL WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AS WELL AS TEENAGERS. REMEMBER…IN SOME SOFTBALL LEAGUES, THE RULE IS-ONE STRIKE AND YOU’RE OUT. CERTAIN MISBEHAVIORS REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ADULT RESPONSE.