I decided to go to the source and asked my daughter, “What would be a good tip to give parents?” Smiling sweetly with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she responded, “Tell parents to let their kids leave their stuff lying around the house!” I laughed, yet there was some wisdom in those words.
The wisdom? Letting your child leave her stuff lying around if you’ve ASKED ONCE for her to pick it up and she doesn’t. How many times have you repeated and repeated your requests – only for your words to fall on deaf ears?
Ask once for your child to pick up her things and then be quiet. (This can be challenging, but you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.) The next time your daughter asks you for something – stay comfortable and deny the request. Let her know (keep it short and simple) you won’t be giving her what she wants because she didn’t pick up her things when you asked.
Be comfortable so your message will be clearly heard: In order to get, you have to give.
