:: Practice responses with your pre-schooler ::
We're at the park. It's a beautiful sunny day. All I can think about is how much I'm dreading the "time to go" call to my pre-school son. Inevitably it's followed with screaming and crying about how he's not ready and doesn't want to leave. Can you relate to this scenario? If so I came up with a little trick (and I'm not sure this was an original idea, but I can't remember where I heard it if it's not).
Before we get out of the car (at the park or just about anywhere else) we rehearse what we want him to say and how we expect him to behave when it's time to go.
For example (for the park situation):
"When it's time to leave the park you are going to say, 'Yes mom. Thanks for taking me to the park. I had a really great time.' And then you will walk with a happy smile to the car with me."
And then I would have him say it back to me a few times. I usually put a consequence on the end to help reinforce my expectation. After about the second try at this technique he really got the hang of it. (And I didn't dread outings.) Hopefully it will work with our other child too!
Before we get out of the car (at the park or just about anywhere else) we rehearse what we want him to say and how we expect him to behave when it's time to go.
For example (for the park situation):
"When it's time to leave the park you are going to say, 'Yes mom. Thanks for taking me to the park. I had a really great time.' And then you will walk with a happy smile to the car with me."
And then I would have him say it back to me a few times. I usually put a consequence on the end to help reinforce my expectation. After about the second try at this technique he really got the hang of it. (And I didn't dread outings.) Hopefully it will work with our other child too!
Do you a mom tip that worked for you?
Send it in and we might just share it right here in the weeks to come.
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Thank you for sharing!!