Many moons ago, I was introduced to the concept of an If/Then Chart. Many of you have probably seen or heard about the one from Doorposts 
or the one from Titus 2 Ministries. More obscure, but popular just the same in homeschooling circles, is the Wise Words For Moms by Ginger Plowman.
In case you aren’t familiar with If/Then Charts, let me give you a brief explanation…
They are often used for discipline and training of children. IF the child does such-and-such, THEN the child is disciplined in this manner. Ginger Plowman’s chart not only gives the what-not-to-do’s, but also the what-to-do’s. The ones I’ve listed are Scripture based and give parents a quick-glance tool for instructing children.
Often you are given the ability to write in your own method of discipline, but for someone like me, that is just too much slack in the reins.
Enter my favorite If/Then Chart (and it’s free to boot!)
This is not my own original work, but rather a chart I came across years ago. As far as I can tell, it is no longer available online and the woman who originally created it is no longer blogging at the only address I ever had for her. (You’ll see in the comments section that I did indeed connect with the original author who was happy to see this chart was still available somewhere!)
CLICK HERE FOR A PDF VERSION OF THIS CHART
(I have corrected a Scripture reference and made this into a pdf file hosted here on my blog)
Here’s how the chart works: Basically, you have a list of behaviors (the “IF” side), a center section with Scripture that speaks to that behavior, and a consequence of said behavior on the far right (the “THEN” side). The punishment fits the crime and I don’t have to think too much about how to discipline certain behaviors. Now, that’s the kind of efficiency I need!
(A quick note on the “Penalties” section at the bottom of the second page: the amount of time I “isolate” depends on the age of the child. A 3 year old is not going to be isolated as long as an older child for obvious reasons.)
The thing that I like best about If/Then Charts is that you are not randomly scrambling around trying to find an appropriate punishment for undesirable behaviors. You have a handy little chart all made up for you explaining the why and the how for both you and the child to plainly see. Consistency, which more often than not is the name of the game, is easy to be had with the help of an If/Then Chart.
It is so important for me to remain consistent as a parent and this will help me to do this and to show how Scripture applies to everyone including children.
What do you do in the “Chastisement” section? I am imagining almost a scarlet letter type of thing? Ideas would be helpful thanks. Also, I would like to see others comments for this post, they are not available.
Hello! If you push the “previous” button, you can see the other comments. And “Chastisement” is anything you consider to be your highest form of punishment. It is reserved only for those things that really deserve serious consequences.
I LIKE this!
I had gotten a chart for Right Behaviors and Wrong Behaviors…but the Wrong Behaviors were vague…and like you said, I would have to come up with my own disciplines. (No thank you!)
Good thing I hadn’t implemented the other yet. I’m printing this off to go with the Right Behaviors Chart. Thanks!
Thank you so much for posting this! This is exactly what I have been looking for! Found on Pinterest.
Hi is there a way I can transfer this to word to change a few things? Thanks!
Thank you so much for the If-Then Chart! It is a huge blessing to find it. I’m going to adapt it for my teenager; if you’d like a copy, please friend me on Facebook at KnowHim NotofHim, for I will post it there when finished.
In His Service,
Chris
This is great..thanks! I find myself struggling to figure out what behaviors deserve what severity of punishment..and I’m so glad to have found a Biblical reference! I’ll be sharing this on my blog