How can I discourage a behavior or action (without threats)?

This is primarily for younger children. Try sticking to what the natural consequences will be.

“If we don’t clean up the kitchen, ants will come and take over the counter. I don’t think we want ants in our food, do we?”

“If you don’t wash your lunchbox, it will be dirty and stinky tomorrow. I would not want to eat from a lunchbox like that, would you?”

Hunt, Gather, Parent