Toddlers are notoriously headstrong and their favorite word is “no”. Time to get dressed. No! Time to go to bed. No! Stop standing on the couch. No! Take those peas out of your nose. No! No! No!
So, what’s a parent to do? Just use reverse psychology. Reverse psychology has a complex definition. I call it simply a foolproof way to get a toddler to do anything. I find myself using it often. It really does work like a charm.
About 93.4% of the time, when I pick up the Things at daycare, Thing 2 refuses to sit in his car seat. It used to be that he fought over the brown seat, but since his older brother got a booster, now he just wants to sit in the back of the minivan.
Enter reverse psychology. After buckling the others into their seats, I tell Thing 2 to please get in his seat. Of course, the answer is No! OK I say, I’m going to leave with him out of his seat, so he’ll fall and get a boo boo when we’re driving.
At first, this was enough to get him to sit. Then he was on to me, so I began closing the doors and pretending to leave. Works every time. A couple of times I even started the engine, which sends him into hysterics, and he quickly gets into his seat. The other parents at daycare, who witness this, are probably reporting me to the authorities for driving without a car seat.
Another classic example…Most of the time, 93.4% to be exact, Thing 2 refuses to brush his teeth before bed. Instead, he likes to run and “hide” in his room. Not a problem. I just tell him I am going to brush his teeth without him, and proceed to the bathroom and turn on the faucet. He comes running every time.
Never mind that brushing his teeth without him makes no sense. To a toddler, it’s excruciating to think something, anything, will be done without him.
The possibilities are endless. To work effectively, you have to make sure to “sell it”. Start the car if they won’t sit down. Start putting on their pants when they refuse to get dressed. Put the pants on your head if necessary.
The key is letting a toddler think they are in control, which, obviously, is not the case. I’m the daddy. I’m in control. Wait a minute, I’m wearing toddler pants on my head and brushing my teeth with a Dora The Explorer toothbrush. So, who is in control?
You have me laughing… I am soo the mom that the other day care moms run back in and say “did you see Donnie’s mom again”.. YEP.. I will start the car too, anything to get the point across. THICK headed this little people.
I do agree though.. letting them think they have some control makes life a little easier.. :)
I love the brushing the teeth without them technique (can I borrow?), but it is so true about the reverse psychology. The classic is leaving them behind in a store or at home, they hate that.
Wow, I can’t wait to have kids!
Seriously, though, thanks for the laugh–I’m compiling all of your tricks for the day (not soon) when I have children of my own…
Isn’t it just amazing? I still do it sometimes (and they’re way older than toddlers). They always responded well to transition warnings, too (like, “We’ll be leaving in 5 minutes. Five minute warning!”).
Or I start counting, you know, without emotion, “Flute practice starts in 10 seconds. 1…2…”
“Right, I’m going right now!” as she races to the flute…
Anyway…
great post! Congratulations on the success with the reverse psychology!!
;-)
thous are very funny. 1 day i had to get my grand son up for school. i called and no ansewer, he did not like to be touched so i said i was going to tickle him and that i was on the 1st steep and a few seconds later he came running.