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by Alex Thompson
Updated: Dec. 21, 2023
Originally Published: April 29, 2012
ENCOURAGEMENT:
“Brush your teeth, or they will turn green and fall out!”
Issue: Kids tend to focus on immediate situations rather than distant consequences.
Revision: “If you skip brushing your teeth, they might develop a strange orange coating. Just look at your younger sibling’s teeth—see that stuff? He’s 2 and throws a tantrum at the sight of a toothbrush! Plus, if you don’t brush, we’ll have to visit the dentist. I know I’ve said it’s a fun place with stickers, but honestly, it’s kind of boring, and you definitely want to avoid it!”
ENCOURAGEMENT:
“Get dressed right now, or you’ll never wear clothes again!”
Issue: Refusing to let your child wear clothes is a big no-no and could lead to regret after a few days of their pleas.
Revision: “If you don’t get dressed, I’m going to sit very still and just stare out the window until you ask if I’m okay. That might be a bit boring for both of us!”
ENCOURAGEMENT:
“Let me trim your nails, or they’ll become dangerous weapons!”
Issue: Now my little one thinks his hands are dangerous tools—yikes!
Revision: “I want to trim your nails because I can’t stop biting mine, to the point where there’s nothing left to bite! Every time I see your lovely, long nails, I fantasize about nibbling them while you sleep. I know it sounds silly, but luckily there’s a simple solution!”
ENCOURAGEMENT:
“If you don’t stop crying, I’ll join you!”
Issue: I’m not great at crying on cue, and I’d be stuck trying to fake it, which might confuse him.
Revision: “If you keep crying, I’ll keep asking why you’re upset, even if you can’t catch your breath to tell me. I’ll hold you close and say, ‘It’s going to be okay, my sweet boy,’ while secretly rolling my eyes, knowing it’s a bit ridiculous to cry for 15 minutes because the cat stepped on your foot.”
ENCOURAGEMENT:
“Going to bed with dirty feet will attract monsters!” (Not my proudest moment, but I said it.)
Issue: He’s 4, and monsters are still a real concern for him. I worry he’ll become obsessed with cleanliness.
Revision: “Honestly, going to bed with dirty feet won’t attract any monsters. I just feel like I’m not contributing much around here, and one of the few things I can do is help you stay clean. So, when you go to bed with clean feet, it makes me feel like I’m being a good parent. Wait, are you still awake?”
This article was originally published on April 29, 2012. For more insightful tips about parenting and home insemination, check out our other posts on privacy policies. If you’re interested in understanding more about fertility journeys, visit Make a Mom to learn from experts in the field. Additionally, for comprehensive information on pregnancy, News Medical is an excellent resource.
Summary:
Encouraging children to follow instructions can often require a bit of creativity. By focusing on immediate consequences and personal experiences, parents can effectively guide their children without resorting to frightening threats. Adapting messages to be relatable can help foster understanding and cooperation in children.