The Lemon Fool

Pro-tip for parents of toddlers and up: Rather than say "do x" always offer a choice, e.g. instead of saying "put your shoes on" first try "do you want to wear your shoes or your wellies?"

It tends to have a higher success rate as kids prefer to be in control. Although it doesn't work if they sense any form of stress, like you are in a hurry and/or its something critically important. The only way I could get out 3-year old out to visit her newborn brother in hospital, after much stress, was the final offer of her wearing mittens on her feet.

Bonus is that it very occasionally works on wives, although the caveat about stress/importance still holds.

neversay wrote:Pro-tip for parents of toddlers and up: Rather than say "do x" always offer a choice, e.g. instead of saying "put your shoes on" first try "do you want to wear your shoes or your wellies?"

It tends to have a higher success rate as kids prefer to be in control. Although it doesn't work if they sense any form of stress, like you are in a hurry and/or its something critically important. The only way I could get out 3-year old out to visit her newborn brother in hospital, after much stress, was the final offer of her wearing mittens on her feet.

Bonus is that it very occasionally works on wives, although the caveat about stress/importance still holds.

Even better is the use of "Mortons Fork"

"Would you rather put on your left shoe first or the right shoe?"

"Darling, do you think the new BMW would look better in black or silver?"

John