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When I give consequences like writing a letter or something (and I usually do letters instead of sentences...forces them to explain their actions and offer an apology on paper), I also give a deadline. You must write a 5 sentence letter in the next 30 minutes. They are placed where I can see them - but they are NOT in the room with me...just in a shared space that I can easily get to. If they don't meet the time deadline, then the second consequence comes into play. It's not always the same - I mix it up. Sometimes it is chores, sometimes it is the loss of a privilege, sometimes it is going to bed early. But, after that 30 minutes, the letter option is gone.
I don't think you are being too hard on him...my grandma told me once "you can always give a child more leeway, but you can NEVER get back what you've already given". I live by that!
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