Discipline Pointers

Do you ever feel lost when your group gets out of control? These pointers can help you use balanced discipline with your kids:

1. Determine individual vs. group responsibility.
Sometimes problems can be traced to two or three group members. Don't make the whole group pay for the disruption of a few.

2. Don't lose it.
If you give kids a red-faced, vein-popping, eye-bulging lecture, they won't hear what you're saying. The fruit of the spirit is self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We need to model that fruit!

3. Encourage reconciliation.
Bring kids together to reconcile their hurt feelings and be restored to one another. Serious relational damage can occur if emotions aren't dealt with right away.

4. Don't embarrass.
When the whole group needs to be disciplined, don't make things worse by singling out kids who really got out of hand. If you do need to speak to an individual, do so privately.

5. Don't get upset often.
If you're upset with your kids on a regular basis, the problem isn't with them-it's with you.

6. Discipline out of love.
Be concerned with the group's maturity, not your own desire for things to go a certain way. We need to want the best for them, not us.

7. Be firm.

If you have a good reason for discipline, don't back off from the action.
If you have a good reason for discipline, don't back off from the action.

Always follow the St. Luke's Child and Student Guidleines when it comes to discipline.

Keep the Director informed!