# Consequences

**What consequences should we use when our child misbehaves?**

What happens after a child breaks a rule: letting natural results happen, a related consequence, taking away a privilege, an unrelated punishment, or solving the problem together.

In short: Parents choose between 5 main approaches: Natural consequences only; Logical, related consequences; Removing privileges (AAP, APA); Unrelated punishments; None, solve the problem together (Greene, Kohn). Evidence: experts disagree. Credible bodies or researchers disagree — decide whose guidance you'll weigh. Best settled: toddler.

- Area: Discipline and behavior
- Evidence: Experts disagree
- Best settled: Toddler
- First published: 2026-10-03
- Last updated: 2026-10-05
- Page: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/topics/discipline-and-behavior--consequences

## Consequences: what are the options?

1. **Natural consequences only**: You let the result of the action teach the lesson, such as being cold without a coat.
2. **Logical, related consequences**: You choose a consequence connected to what happened, such as cleaning up a spill.
3. **Removing privileges (AAP, APA)**: You take away something valued, such as screen time.
4. **Unrelated punishments**: You give a punishment that has nothing to do with what the child did.
5. **None, solve the problem together (Greene, Kohn)**: You skip consequences and work out a solution with the child.

## Consequences: what does the evidence say?

**Experts disagree.** Credible bodies or researchers disagree — decide whose guidance you'll weigh.

APA lists reasoning, time-out, privilege removal and ignoring as better than physical discipline

Sources:

- [APA](https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/05/physical-discipline)

## What else is worth knowing?

A consequence is what follows a behavior. Natural ones happen without you; logical ones are chosen by you and connected to what happened; punishments are unconnected. Some approaches skip consequences and focus on solving the problem with the child.

## Questions to ask each other

- What kind of consequence do you think teaches best?
- Where do we draw the line between a consequence and a punishment?
- How will we make sure the consequence fits the behavior?

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General information, not medical advice. Two parents can each answer this and compare: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/explore?cat=discipline-and-behavior&topic=discipline-and-behavior--consequences