Mamas & Papas-
For those of you who have suggested the How to Talk so your Kids Will Listen and Listen so your Kids Will Talk book, a word of thanks. This morning DS was distraught because he wanted to go to the library rather than to daycamp. I tried acknowledging, I tried explaining, and finally I remembered a tip from How to Talk- embellishing. I said I wish we could go to the Library everyday. I wish we could go to the Library by bike, then by scooter, then by walking. I wish we could go to the Library 50 times. I wish we could sleep at the Library. I wish we could take our whole family, and our friends, and our house and our beds to the Library. At which point, he was chuckling, we were out of the house, and happy to look at the garbage truck before going to daycamp.
Thanks for making this excellent resource known to me.
Have you used the strategies from the book recently? How did they work for you?
Regards,
F. B.
I never read that book but I remember something like that from one of my early childhood education classes! The teacher was discussing ways to distract and redirect young children and she said don't forget to try humor, being silly works wonders with this age group.
She was right, and it's way more pleasant and effective than explaining, yelling, bargaining or punishing.
Thank you for posting this. I chuckled too.
What a good way to use that tool! Something that my DD likes is lists. It makes her feel like she has some say in what happens next. We also point out things like "Wet towels will make the sofa moldy" vs "Get in here and move this towel!" I have found that the tips work better now that DD is a little older, but I need to refresh on some of the tools again.
This reminds me of Dr. Seuss! Thanks for the laugh. You get a great big gold star for the day!!
Yes, it's a good, solid book. One of the best tips is to pick two choices (that you can live with), then STOP TALKING! "Do you want a peanut butter sandwich or a turkey sandwich?" (Sorry, kind of a lame example.) If they say, "I want a hot dog!" you say, "Do you want a peanut butter sandwich or a turkey sandwich? Those are your choices." Don't say anything else. Getting into habits like this is hard - but really worth it!
I think I got the idea to bring the transition with you from that book...so when you want a kid to move on to something else, you suggest they bring the toy in the car, etc. Similarly, I ask about pushing the elevator button to leave the library. I used that one this morning.
i LOVE your coping method!
you go, B.!
:) khairete
S.
