Every child tests limits and breaks rules. And as frustrating as it can be for a parent who is working so hard to teach their children and set boundaries, testing those boundaries is a normal part of your child’s development and necessary for their learning. As a parent or someone in a parenting role, you have the opportunity to transform your child’s choices into teachable moments. It is important for every child to learn that their actions have an impact on others around them.

This podcast from the creators of the parenting website, ParentingMontana.org, shows parents how logical consequences can help teach responsible decision-making skills without having to invent consequences when their children behave unsafely or inappropriately. Logical consequences are the natural outcomes that result from a child’s actions with others or with property. Following through on logical consequences means that the adult guides the child to take responsibility for any harm caused or damage done. The intent is to teach your child that every action has a reaction.

The Montana Department of Health and Human Services partnered with the Center for Health and Safety Culture at Montana State University to bring you this podcast to help parents teach their children to take the next steps to fix what is broken or hurt when a poor choice has been made or a rule has been broken. Listen now and see how with a parent’s ongoing commitment to follow through on logical consequences, a child will learn to think through consequences and thereby strengthen their decision-making skills.