If you and your toddler are tiring of a constant struggle of the wills, remember the fantastic Montessori suggestion that, instead of telling a toddler to do something, give them two choices for accomplishing that task.
For example, instead of commanding, “Put your shoes on,” try, “Which one do you want to put on first: your left shoe or your right shoe?”
Or, instead of saying, “Get in the car; we have to go home now,” try, “Do you want to skip to the car or run?”
5 Comments to "Give the kids some choices"
oh I needed this reminder today! sigh. tomorrow is a new day. and tomorrow will be full of choices. [and hopefully less of my frustration and impatience].Thankyou!
Definitely a win -win!
Totally agree…however, Ethan’s getting smart and starting to say. “Neither!” Maybe I just need to come up with more enticing choices!!!
That Ethan… he’s a smarty! When a two-year-old can stump Maria Montessori, well, wow.
this was so good I posted a link to it in my blog today. thankyou for reminders and the network of mums that ‘catch each other’ as we journey on this craaaaaazy parenting thing!