Summary: Time for some parenting 101. Today let’s talk about giving our kids choices and learning how to never say no. How often do you struggle as a parent to get your kid to do what you want them to do? How often does your little one scream, “NO!” And how often are you left scratching your head over how to handle it? The answer is choices. Don’t ever say okay when they say “no” to you. Find a way to offer them a choice. Every time. And don’t ever say no when they ask for something they can’t have. Find a way to say yes. Every time. Let me demonstrate just how easy parenting can be. Dad: Noah, how about egg burritos for breakfast this morning? Noah: Dad, I hate egg burritos! Dad: Would you rather have an egg burrito or a poop sandwich? I’m happy to make either. Noah: Grrrr. Egg burrito. Dad: You promise you’ll eat it? Because I kind of would rather have poop sandwiches for breakfast now that I think about it. Noah: I’ll eat it, I promise! Dad: Okay, you want an egg burrito, you’ve got it. See how easy parenting can be? Here are some more examples. Noah: Dad, can I pleeeeeeaaasssee have this toy? Dad: You bet! As soon as you reach down in your pocket and magically find twenty dollars, it’s all yours. Noah: Dad! I don’t have twenty dollars, where would I get twenty dollars? Dad: Don’t ask me, that’s why it’s called magic. You never know unless you reach in your pocket and look. Noah: [reaches in his pocket]. Nope, nothing. Dad: Bummer. Well, if you ever do find your magic $20, let me know and we’ll run right back here for your toy. Noah: Dad, do we have to clean the house before we can play a game? Dad: No, we don’t have to. Noah: So we can just play the game? Dad: We don’t have to clean the house first. Noah: So we can just play the game then? Dad: If you don’t want to clean the house first then we can find something else to do before we play the game. Noah: Grrrr. Like what? Dad: I don’t know, we could leave the house dirty and instead we could lie on the bed for three hours and I get to hold you like my teddy bear while I take a nap. It will take a lot longer, but I like holding you like my teddy bear. So I’d be okay with that. Noah: Three hours? Dad: Maybe four. Noah: Oh fine, let’s clean the house and play the game. Dad: Okay, if that's what you want. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE Dad: What kind of fruit should we get today? We’ve gotta get some yummy fruit. Noah: I don’t want fruit. I want something yummy like Oreos. Dad: Mmmmmm. Oreos are really good. Noah: Can we get them? Dad: Sure. We can get one pack of Oreos or one bag of fruit. It’s your choice. Noah: OREOS! Dad: Okay, but you didn’t hear the whole thing. If you choose Oreos there’s some stuff you have to do before you can eat them. Noah: Like what? Dad: You have to clean my car, vacuum the house, sweep the kitchen, wipe down the bathroom, clean your room, make your bed, help me fold the laundry, put away the laundry, watch a boring grown-up show with me, climb that mountain over there, walk another four miles to counter-balance the extra calories, stand on your head for five minutes, aaaaaannnnnd you’ve gotta take a nap first. Noah: I have to do all that if I choose Oreos? Dad: Yeah. But it’s your choice. I don’t care what you choose. Noah: What if I choose fruit, do I have to do all that? Dad: No, you just have to make your bed and you can eat some fruit. Noah: Do I have to take a nap if we get fruit? Dad: Nope. Noah: Grrrr… Fine. Let’s just get pears then. Dad: Are you sure? Because I’m happy to get you Oreos if you’ll do all that stuff. Noah: I don’t want Oreos. Dad: Okay, pears it is. But you have to make your bed before you can eat a pear. Noah: Dad, making your bed is easy. Dad: Okay, just know that I will not let you have a pear until you make your bed. Noah: I know, Dad! I’ll make my bed right when we get home! Dad: Okay. Are you sure that’s what you want to do? Noah: YES!!! Geez, Dad! Haha.
