Have you ever talked to your kids about the reality of going to jail? I’m guessing that your answer is, “No. Why would I?”
Well, there are a few reasons that it might be good idea, depending on the ages of your children. One of the most important things that kids need to understand is that there will be consequences for their actions.
If you have a child who has a close call with the law or one who has been caught doing something wrong…really wrong…it might be time now.
I will not go into the specifics on ways to handle this because it is too personal and too individual. Instead, I will make an analogy using the game of Monopoly. Actually playing the game with your kids might be an easy way to bring up the subject.
According to the rules, when a player lands on the “go to jail” space, the player must go directly to jail. As most of us remember the words:
- You do not pass go.
- You do not collect $200.00.
- As soon as you go to jail, your turn ends.
There are only three ways to get out of jail:
- Pay $50.00.
- Use a get out of jail card.
- Wait three turns.
Think about it friends. Think about ways that you can teach your children that there will be consequences for their actions. You are not helping your children when you do not give them consequences. In fact you are hurting them when you don’t give them consequences.
Photo: Mark Strozier
