Exploring vs. Imposing Consequences

Helping teens explore the consequences of their choices is much different from imposing consequences on them.  Imposing a consequence (a poorly disguised punishment) is designed to make kids pay for what they did and usually invites rebellion.  Curiosity questions invite kids to explore what happened, what caused it to happen, how they feel about it, and what they can learn from their experience. 

— From Positive Discipline for Teenagers, by Jane Nelson, Ed.D., and Lynn Lott, M.A., M.F.T.