Get Your Kids To Listen: Give Choices0 comments

Ever have trouble getting your child to do what they are supposed to do? Getting dressed, brushing teeth, eating meals and bed time can be an uphill battle. We can all use simple ways to gain our kid’s cooperation. Giving choices is one of the best ways to do just that.

Offering children choices instead of giving commands and delivering threats is generally a fool proof parenting technique. It works because choices allows children to think independently and ultimately make a decision, something they desperately want to do. Parents can maintain a semblance of control over the situation because they are the ones offering the options. Giving children choices shows children that their needs are respected. Power struggles are avoided because children feel empowered by their opportunity to choose.

It is a win win situation.

Here are some examples of how we can “Give Choices”:

Instead of saying:

“Get dressed now!”

Say:

“What would you like to put on first, your shirt or your pants?”

Instead of saying:

“You better get back into that bathroom and brush your teeth!”

Say:

“Are you going to use the kid toothpaste or the adult toothpaste to brush your teeth today?”

Instead of Saying:

“Stop complaining about dinner and just eat!”

Say:

“Would you like to eat what is on the table or would you like to make yourself a sandwich?”

Instead of Saying:

“I am not reading you a bedtime book unless you get into bed on time tonight!”

Say:

Do you want to me to carry you into bed or are you going to get into bed all by yourself?”

Children value having a say in how they manage their day to day activities. Parents need to know that there are other ways to get children to listen, they do not need to resort to commands and threats. To encourage our children to make their own decisions and to cooperate we want to always think of ways we can give our children choices.