There are also phrases you find yourself saying to your kids repeatedly during the course of a day. This might become more annoying as they grow older, but with a toddler it's understandable; they need to be reminded of things quite often.
The most commonly used phrase in this household lately is, 'Use your words'.
I really believe it's important for children to express themselves. I find that encouraging Abbey to use her vocabulary can help to remove some of her toddler frustration.
Does that make me sound like a good mother? Okay, well now that we have that out of the way, I'll tell you the truth...
The main reason I do things this way is because I have a very low tolerance level for tantrums, screaming, whining or grunting noises. I'd rather hear Abbey speak than grunt or scream, so reminding her to use her words helps to save my sanity.
I don't respond to requests she makes in the form of a scream or a grunt. I look at her and say, 'Abbey, use your words please' and she will. Then, and only then, will I give her what she's asking for.
I also thank her politely for using her words and tell her how good that was. Because positive reinforcement is very, very important. See, I am a good mother really. I know that teaching a child is a lot like training a dog... oh, hang on, I've just dug myself into a hole there, haven't I?
What do you find yourself repeating to your kids? Or your pets (same-same)?
Megan
6 comments:
It's funny how we all have our own things that irritate the crap out of us. The grunting/pointing/whining vs talking doesn't bother me.
But the refusal to let me dress her very nearly drives me to drink! We've reached a compromise now but I'll admit I've left her in her PJs on some days because I just can't face the drama of getting dressed.
I have a low tolerance for loud noise. I try to let it go when it's just normal kid's playing noise. But by dinner/bath/bed time I'm over it and am constantly shhhhh-ing and saying quietly "Use your inside voice" or "Please be quiet."
I had to laugh - I say use your words to my 2 year old and she does but sometimes none of us have a clue how to translate!
The noise gets to me, and believe me, the 3yr old can really rev up the volume level! But I do the same: "Use your words." For the most part, he does anyway, but then he's a bit bigger than Abbey!
You know what I do? I get the dog and the boys mixed up sometimes. I'll say to the dog, "Take that bone outside, because you can't have it in the house!" and then turn to one of the boys muckingn around at the table and say, "Sit! Good booooy."
*sigh*.... It's confusing sometimes...
It used to be "use your words please" and before than it was "please stop the whiny voice" and it has also been "screeching will never get you what you want".
Currently we are on "Please stop bickering". Does it ever end?
Very nice to see you back!
Oh, the whining gets me! Totally. I seem to be saying, "Tell me in your normal voice please, so I can understand you," a lot!
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