When parents are consistent in their response and follow through in their behavior, children learn to count on that parent and actually feel more secure in their environment. If you tell your children you will pick them up at a specific time, be there. If you tell your kids they can't have candy, do not change your mind. If you promise a reward for good behavior, give it. If you "ground" your teenager, follow through. Try to act, not react to your kids behaviors. Give yourself time to consider what you want to say and do.

By being consistent in your actions and behaving in a manner your children can model, children learn the importance of self-respect and recognize the value of trust. Of course this means you must give serious consideration to what you say you are going to do. If you are one who changes your mind often or tends to retract decisions because you "promised" before you knew you could deliver, you will loose an essential element of effective parenting... your child's trust.

ParentNews Magazine: Michael K. Tonjum, Ph.D.