rivka

For this reason, I've heard people distinguish between "logical consequences" and "natural consequences" - a natural consequence is what happens without parental intervention, and a logical consequence is parent-imposed. So the natural consequence of wading in mud puddles without your rain boots is wet feet. A logical parent-imposed consequence might be having to go home and stay inside until your shoes dry.

Like papersky, I've seen people justify some very harsh, punitive stuff as "logical consequences." We use them, but we are very careful about keeping them proportionate and closely linked to the offense. For example, coloring on the wall = having to try to scrub the wall clean, even after you realize how hard it is and don't want to try anymore. But it doesn't mean having to scrub for an hour or having to repaint the whole room or having to wash all the walls in the house, or anything.