WRITTEN
BEHAVIORAL CONTRACTS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS
When you seem to be at your wit’s end in getting
your children to obey a specific rule, or when you feel
you’ve lost control of your children, give them
a written behavioral contract. Here is an example of
a contract written by frustrated parents of a 17-year-old
girl who refused for months to clean or pick-up her
bedroom:
Dear (name of daughter): The appearance of your bedroom
has become unacceptable to us. Since our repeated efforts
to encourage you to keep your bedroom clean and orderly
have failed, we ask you to sign this contract. If you
fail to keep your bedroom clean and orderly, the following
successive penalties will immediately apply, in the
order in which they are listed:
1. Loss of bedroom phone for two weeks. 2. Loss of bedroom
stereo for two weeks. 3. Loss of personal cell phone
for two weeks (yes, we know you bought it yourself).
4. Loss of all driving privileges (the bus schedule
is attached).
I (signature of child) fully understand the penalties
and restrictions listed above in the event that my room
appears to be unacceptable to one or both of my parents.
Written contracts are appropriate for older children
and teens. They are also useful for curfews, chores,
respectful behavior, completing homework, etc.
DRIVING CONTRACT Soon after my son received his driver's
license, I gave him a written contract to sign which
listed his responsibilities for using the family car.
He was responsible for all tickets, paying for his own
gas, washing the car weekly, checking the fluid levels
weekly and returning the car on time for the rest of
the family to use. If my son failed on any of these
responsibilities, his car privileges could be taken
away (this was also included in the contract). Teens
take written contracts more seriously than verbal agreements.
-- M.I., Minneapolis, Minn.
DAD’S 10 LAWS FOR DRIVING When my son began driving,
I drafted a contract of 10 rules for using the car.
It covered maintaining the car, the number of passengers
allowed, drug use (including alcohol) and driving, and
driving in adverse weather and road conditions. It also
clearly stated that he would be responsible for paying
all traffic violations and any resulting increases in
the insurance premium. If he lost his B-average “good
student discount,” he would pay for the increase
in the insurance premium as well. We both signed the
contract. Any violation of the 10 rules will result
in revoking his driving privileges. -- Lou S., Pleasanton,
Calif.
Driving Contract
Thou shalt . . .
1. Not let anyone except for your parents drive your
car.
2. Not drive under the influence of drugs (including
alcohol) or have any drugs (including alcohol) in the
car.
3. Not transport more passengers then there are seatbelts
and not drive until all passengers have buckled up.
4. Not drive the car off the road or in extremely adverse
weather/road conditions.
5. Maintain your car inside and out, including gas,
oil, air filters, tire pressure, fluid levels, body,
etc.
6. Pay for any increase in insurance premiums caused
by traffic violations.
7. Pay for any damages not covered by insurance and
any increase in insurance premiums that are the result
of an accident that is your fault.
8. Maintain a GPA greater than 3.0.
9. Pay for any increased insurance premium for not maintaining
a “good student discount.”
Any violation of any of the above may result in the
revocation of driving privileges and/or possession of
the car.
Signed,
Parent: _______________ Teen: _________________ Date:
____________
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