Giving Children Threats Vs. Warnings

I Love, LOVE, Love Love and Logic. I think it is a great way to discipline children and teach them responsibility for their actions. The best part is it actually works, even on kids as you my little guy (17 months). I have been slacking and have been giving those annoying warnings like the first mom in the story below. Ugh, it just makes so much more work for me. When I could be like the second mom below and do it right the first time.  Below are some stories from Dr. Charles Fay that I received in a bi-weekly email from the Love and Logic Institute. 

Have you ever found yourself in this situation before...

Little Cleo looked out of the corner of her eye at her Mom with one of those testing looks, then pushed her child sized grocery cart into the legs of her sister. "Quit that," warned Mom. "I've warned you about that three times already. If you do it again I'm going to take it away!" Three minutes later Cleo was doing it again. "Cleo, I said no," yelled Mom. "Now you stop it! You're going to be in big trouble! How many times do I have to tell you?" Ten minutes later, I saw Mom still making threats. I'm not sure she was aware of Cleo's sly little grin.

During the same trip, I watched another Mom dealing with the same problem. There were no threats. "Willie, you know better than that. Follow me." She calmly walked to the front of the store with her son trailing behind. "Leave your cart with the others here. You can try it again next time we're in the store." "But, Mom. I'll be good. I promise." "I'm sure you will next time we shop." A sobbing little Willie followed his mom through the store.

It is so much easier to just get rid of the problem at first threat and let kids know that there are consequences for their actions. Just like in real life, if you as an adult were running your cart into someone at the store do you think they would allow you to do it to them multiple times? I dont think so :)