1 2 3
i see parents try to correct their kids by counting. heh. it rarely works. cause mommydaddy says 1. kid ignores them. cause they know they don't have to actually comply until just before 3. i use a 1 2 3 4 system with my kids. i just don't say the numbers. one, i point out that what they're doing might be considered out of bounds. sometimes they actually fix it. but usually they ignore me. two, i tell them exactly what to do. the expectation is they comply immediately. this can't be ignored. usually i get an okay dad. they know better than to actually say yeah yeah go away. three, they're in trouble. usually they get an unpleasant lecture and their fun is interrupted. but i'm really sick of giving the same lectures over and over again. so i've been trying to switch to a system of penance. bennett had to write a three point paragraph on the difference between penance and punishment. penance requires contrition, remorse, and making amends. at least in my house. this is something new. so they don't really get it yet. and four is punishment of course.