However, sometimes it’s easy to set limits in the moment and have difficulty following through later. You may often find yourself giving a strong consequence to get a child to behave, and then forget about it later or realize it’s not enforceable.
Sometimes the consequence you tossed out is one you can’t enforce or is easily forgotten, while other times you just don’t want to be the “bad guy” in carrying it out or have to deal with the emotional turmoil that is sure to come
Make sure that any consequence you give your child is related to the situation at hand.
Spilled juice? Wipe it up.
Fighting over a toy? Remove the toy.
Hurting someone else? Find a way to make amends.
Canceling plans to go to the movies isn’t related to a child pocketing a pack of gum from the store; returning it to the store and apologizing is.