When you’re constantly telling your kids “No!”, the effects wear off over time. Besides, it’s not always clear what you’re saying ‘no’ to. Instead, try speaking with:
- brevity. Instead of just repeating “no” by itself, be a little more descriptive. ‘No hitting’, ‘no touch’, ‘not for babies’, etc…
- ambiguity. Statements like ‘maybe later’, ‘not now’, and ‘we’ll see’ postpone the action without possibilities of breaking any promises.
Then, there are things they will do no matter what you say, like throwing rocks. In those cases, redirect their energy. Phrases like “rocks with rocks”, “dirt with dirt”, and “away from people and things” give the kids an outlet while setting some acceptable boundaries.
