Image: Shutterstock
Have you ever told your child not to do something and they do the exact same thing the next moment? It’s human nature to be curious and oppositional from time to time. Especially when you’re little and naturally inquisitive. Your children may have difficulties listening to what you have to say all the time. They are new to the world and find everything fascinating. Besides, they don’t know or understand what consequences or inconveniences really are. It’s your job as a parent to educate them in small ways. But what do you do in a fix when you need the kids to cooperate? Well, you have the ability to pick the right words and intonations to influence your child positively and redirect negative behaviors. Here are 5 phrases that can help manage unwanted behavior in your kids in a tricky situation:
1. If Your Child Doesn’t Want To Eat Or Never Finishes Their Meal
Image: Shutterstock
Let your child know that they are a healthy eater instead of beretting them. It’s better to encourage your child for each eating action they make. Express how proud you are of them for making an effort to eat as much as they can. Try not to give them a label, like calling them a picky eater. This will do nothing but irritate your child and ensure that they continue to give you a tough time with food. The key is to motivate your child to eat as much as they like and what they like while slowly coaxing them to try new, healthy foods.
2. If Your Child Doesn’t Want To Clean Their Room
Image: Shutterstock
Let’s be honest, no one likes doing chores and our child is no exception. It is normal to get irritated and frustrated with your children when they don’t complete the one task you asked them to do. But instead of using phrases like “Do it immediately! I won’t repeat myself again” which are negative and discouraging to your child, try to motivate them instead. It is better to give them an option and not be pushy. So say something like “Would you like to do it alone or shall I help you?”. Phrasing it as a question and giving them a choice will help them feel more involved and autonomous.
3. If Your Child Doesn’t Want To Listen To You
Image: Shutterstock
You might not like them, but your child’s actions are a huge indicator of how they feel and what they need, even if they themselves don’t know it. They may not be able to express themselves in a straightforward way as your kid’s communication skills are still developing. So, it’s up to you to decipher if they are bored, tired or hungry. Actions like crying, not being able to listen or throwing their toys are just a way to gauge their mood. Have an open line of conversation with your child from an early age. This will help when you try to explain to them how their feelings may be controlling their actions. For example, if they are adamant about playing outside but are actually grumpy because they are sleepy, tell them that their actions show you that they are too tired to play outside and can go out later on after taking a nap.
4. When Your Child Wants One More Toy But They’ve Already Surpassed The Limit
Image: Shutterstock
When it comes to toys, your child is always going to say the more the merrier. Every parent struggles with enforcing limits and boundaries with their little ones, especially when their child is begging for a new toy. But as much as you’d like them to have everything their heart desires, saying no is important. Your child needs to learn that they can’t have everything they want all the time. But how to do this without hurting them? Simply screaming at them and saying “enough!” isn’t going to do the trick. Instead just ask your child to add the toy to the list of christmas presents and birthday presents they’d like. Chances are your child will forget all about the toy in a couple of days.
5. When Your Child Finally Does What You Wanted
Image: Shutterstock
You have to let your children know that you appreciate them when they listen to you. It might take a while and some finessing to get your child to listen, but once they do, don’t ignore their efforts. Tell them that you are proud and glad that they listened to you and that they did a good job. Children love praise and validation. This will only motivate them to listen to you in the future.
Remember that no one is perfect. Everyone, even adults, struggle to do the right thing sometimes. So give your child the space to learn and listen next time. They will eventually understand that you want the best for them and will start taking you seriously. In the meantime, use these phrases to get you out of a pickle the next time you’re in a tricky situation. Happy parenting!
