
I Didn’t Realize What Empty Threats Were Teaching My Kids Until I Heard This Expert Advice
7/19/2026 It turns out that we are doing our children even more of a disservice by not following through on threats—even though the last thing we want to do is punish or upset our children. But sometimes consequences can be good for kids. “On a deeper level, [not following through] can foster a sense of uncertainty and lack of emotional safety,” says Anna Plotkina, PsyD., with Pathways Psychological Services in New York City. “Consistent boundaries and structure allow kids to feel safe.”






