Have you ever found yourself in a match with your two-year-old about leaving the house?
Have you ever found yourself in a match with your two-year-old about leaving the house?
Or not getting crisps in the shop? Or not eating their dinner?
Well, there’s a quick trick you can use to get around any stubborn child. It’s called the ‘Cool Trick’.
The idea is, when met with stubbornness or an argument, you keep your cool.
For example, if you’re out and your toddler won’t get in the car, instead of trying to move them or meeting defiance with defiance; keep your cool and say “Cool, I’m leaving anyways” and move to get in the car.
You’ll very quickly see a buckled-up child in the back seat.
It works in so many situations. They say they don’t want dinner? “Cool, I’ll leave it in the kitchen and you can get it when you’re ready.” They are hungry and will ask for it back almost immediately.
In a shop and they go to start throwing things around? “Cool, I’m going this way.” And walk away.
Not engaging means no argument and not giving attention to bad behaviour goes a long way in teaching them that acting out is not the way to get what they want.
It also helps to stop you from flying off the handle!
Written by Róise McGagh, Intern at Family Friendly HQ; follow her on Twitter @roisemcgagh