How to Set Consequences for Breaking a Curfew
As your children grow closer to independence, you have to extend their freedom. However, certain constraints must remain in place. Even though your children's curfew time can grow later with each passing year, you shouldn't refrain from penalizing them when they don't come home on time. To be fair, you should establish the consequences for breaking curfew.
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Instructions
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Point out to your children that a curfew expresses your trust in them, not you control over them. If they are breaking curfew they are only failing to practice freedom prudently.
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Remind your children of their curfew before they go out at night. Do give them the chance to say they were unclear about the specifics of curfew or the consequences for breaking it.
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Allow your children to come home after breaking curfew without fear. Discipline is better meted out the day after. Otherwise, they might commit greater infractions out of defiance.
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Be fair with the amount of punishment you inflict for breaking curfew. Avoid becoming draconian in your disciplinary actions, as this will only confuse your children and possibly cause resentment.
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Discuss the consequences for breaking curfew with your spouse. It is important that any actions you take in this regard are decided together when you both have a cool head.
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Remember that a broken curfew is not the end of the world, nor does it mean your children fundamentally don't respect you. It is only natural that your children will try to test boundaries to see what consequences they can handle.
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