Oh dear! Your offspring have been acting out recently. You feel you are constantly repeating yourself, without being heard. Well then, it’s baseball time!

April is the start of baseball season and my child being a die-hard fan, we came up with the idea of Disciplinary Baseball. No material necessary… except for a bit of consistency and perseverance.

This all too familiar example will help you understand the concept of the game: You have just given a simple instruction to your child. He does not listen and pursues his activity. You repeat the instruction a second time, then a third…and repeat to no avail.

You need to start thinking at the concept of three strikes, much alike a baseball umpire.

  • Strike 1: You indicate to your oh-so-busy-child that this is his first strike and repeat the instruction, making sure he has understood. After a reasonable delay, if you see that he isn’t moving…
  • Strike 2: You repeat the instruction while advising that this is the second strike. If he does not follow the instruction and that you have to repeat a third time, there will be a consequence (that you will precisely explain).
  • If precious cherub still does not observe and follow the instruction, you then resort to Strike 3, you’re out!

The consequence (which he had been made aware of) is implemented. You wouldn’t imagine an umpire offering a 4th chance because a player negotiated or resorted to sweet-talk. Neither should you!

Be aware, be very aware. Your angels have mastered the technique of manipulation and will try to sweet-talk their way out the consequence…Remember, you see clearly through their game plan.

Consistency and perseverance are your best teammates as your children will gradually understand that with the 2nd Strike, they have to follow the instructions if they want to be spared of a consequence.

You will only need to repeat twice to be understood and your patience will be spared.

Véronique Gauthier

Psycho-Educator │ Resource Teacher