Your Toddler - Does What They're Asked Or Need Explanations?

[Tinks]

I STILL have that problem with my 12yo DS!

I've learnt over the years to give an explaination at the time of saying what I want him to do It's become such a habit that find myself doing it all the time. Last night I took my nephew shopping with me, I was taking him to the toilet but instead of saying "Come on we're going to the toilet" I said "ok you're going to the toilet now becasue...blah blah blah" I htink he switched off half way through

[Glamourcide]

I can give explanations until I'm blue in the face and DD1 STILL won't do as she's told. Grrr!
I envy those parents with kids who just do as they're told first time, every time, no questions or arguments... DH and I have to explain, then insist, insist AGAIN, then bribe, then threaten... gaaaahhhh!

[krysalyss]

Our DS doesn't always ask why but it saves time to give him an explanation from the beginning as he is more likely to do it, do it quickly and remember the next time. He often reminds us later if we do the same thing about not doing it and why (e.g. "mum we don't sit on the arm of the couch because we might fall off"). Bit embarrassing to have your toddler remind you of the rules! lol

[kungfubecca]

he he, I have a why kid.

we have to explain. re falling ours is you will have to go to hospital if you fall, he doesn't like hospitals, he's already been in on 2 short occasions.

carseat, the policeman will lock mum & dad up. he doesn't understand the concept of flying through the windscreen.

DS has an elephants memory and will repeat almost anything, even complex things. He showed me a toy cow, with udders yesterday and told me milk coms from cows and pointed to the udders, I didn't teach him that, not sure who did.

to stop the barage of Whys you have to come up with an extreemly complex responce, and they get bored.
eg: why does it rain: - discuss water droplets clouds etc, throwing in as many technical temrs as you can remember, but don't dumb anything down for a why kid, or you get more why's, give my ds a technicall boring answer and he stops asking.

I'm also on occasion not advers to the 'because mummy said so' learnt that from my mum. and counting to 3 to get him to listen, and sto stalling.

I also don't care if I have to drag a toddler kicking and screaming from a shop I'll get him back one day, I'll chuck a tanti when he's older or be embarrasing in front of friends.

[fionas]

it was good to read all these responses especially on a day when it seemed like dd was the only toddler who wouldn't do as she was asked.