		find stuff

This site gets better with user participation. Please participate... Some of the main things you can do is rate this advice, add comments to this advice, add links to and from this advice, and/or write your own advice.

		email			print
		report

Like this topic?
Write Advice
Add to Favorites
Advice that links to this one

ADVICE RATING

4.32 (Worth a try) from 14 votes (124 Visits)

Don't ask, tell

by madmadmummy

(January 2007) (rank 408th)

I am a huge reader, especially when it comes to parenting - I am a first time parent, so of course I have some questions!

But by far the best thing that I have read when it comes to toddlers, and I have found that it works really well,

is to tell them things - don't ask them.

Ask my daughter anything and her automatic answer is usually "no". Just because she can. But when I tell her to do something, she is fine and complies with it almost immediately.

You are the adult. You are in charge. You have their best interest at heart. You tell them when it is time to have a bath, go to bed, eat their peas or get out of the pool. Don't give them a choice that they are not mature enough yet to make.

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.

ADVICE RATING

4.32 (Worth a try) from 14 votes

Report

Add a comment on this article.

	February 2007 \| MissieK

I did this too :)

With both my boys, I found this worked well - and I still do it! They are now 3 & 5 & if I want them to do something, I tell them, don't ask.

Report

	February 2007 \| exquisite-flower

Well said

well said....good on you
Peace
EF.x

Report

	5.00 (Excellent) \| February 2007 \| mcm

Give choices they can make

I think its better to give choices rather than ask. For example, instead of saying, "Would you like to go to bed now?" You might say " Do you want me to help you into bed?" Or instead of asking, "Do you want to put your shoes on so we can go?" Ask "Which shoes you want to wear?"
It makes them feel proud if they are able to make choices applicable for their age.
I don't like to ask or tell! I am not a nagger myself so it is something I am working on so i am not doing everything myself.

Report

	5.00 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| madmadmummy

you can't help it!

I know what you mean! I catch myself doing it all the time as well! I only pick myself up when she says NO!

Report

	5.00 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| MadMel

I agree

My mum picked me up doing it. Its something you have to consiously not do. Do you want a bath, do you want to go in the corner, do you want to clean up for mummy?
Dont ask, tell!

Report

Related keywords: answer, ask, bath, choice, daughter, eat, mature, parent, parenting, questions, read, tell, toddlers


	Related Content Add No related content has been added Related Tags Add answer, ask, bath, choice, daughter, eat, mature, parent, parenting, questions, read, tell, toddlers Bookmarks No bookmarks found