Stuology

On trickery and laundry

Sep 27th, 2008By: Mellystu Comments 3

One popular technique to use with children is to offer then choices instead of ultimatums. Example, instead of saying “Get your pajamas on and go to bed,” you give them a choice by saying “What pjs do you want to wear to bed?” I never gave this much thought until I had Ada, but I did use it in college. Instead of saying to someone “Do you want to order Shuttle?” I’d say, “What do you want on your Shuttle?” It was more effective in getting someone to order pizza, so surely it will work with my children. So this morning when it was time for breakfast:

Me: Do you want milk or juice with breakfast?
Ada: Um, cookies!
Me: We aren’t eating cookies for breakfast. What do you want to drink, milk or juice?
Ada: No eat breakfast! Cookies!

I’m convinced that the people who research this stuff don’t actually have any children. Or at least, not one like mine.

Having a washing machine that works is wondrous. Doing laundry at the laundromat is expensive and inconvenient. I’m almost giddy at doing the laundry right now.