Doing Deals With Your Children

DON'T ... especially if they are only two and a half years old. Today I was walking along the board walk at Santa Monica Bay when I saw a child sitting in a stroller holding her Mother's mobile phone. Her Mother was squatting over the little girl asking for her mobile phone back.

The child, a really cute looking girl with an extra cute sounding voice says, "No Mommy. I want it."

Mommy says,"But I need to make a phone call, sweetie."

Sweetie says, "No you can't!" and clutches the phone even tighter, hitching her shoulders up to her ears pushing the phone down between her knees.

Mommy pleads, "Sweetie, please give it back to me."

Sweetie says, "I want it!"

Mommy says, "OK I will let you have it for a few more minutes. That's a deal. Alright?"

Screen Shot 2017-06-26 at 5.30.34 PM

Screen Shot 2017-06-26 at 5.30.25 PM

Screen Shot 2017-06-26 at 5.30.42 PM

Screen Shot 2017-06-26 at 5.30.18 PM

Sweetie puts the phone to her ear as though listening to something very important. I saw the look on her face. Wow! Triumphant in a word. I won! Done deal, No respect!

I suddenly saw the thirteen year old screaming at her Mother when asked to help with the dishes.

"Why should I? I am doing something else. I am not doing the dishes!"

Mommy yells, "How dare you be so rude and disrespectful screaming at me like that!"

Sweetie ain't very sweet any more. Mommy has no patience left.

My great teacher in early childhood education once told me, "If you be too lenient and always give way to the child, you don't spoil the child, you ruin the child".