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That's what I'm getting, too, and I understand and EMPATHIZE!! I have neighbor kids who are precocious and want to "debate" rules & policies around her. ("But WHY?" or "How come we can't ______ ?" or "But at MY house we can because __________ ." etc., etc..).
At first I tried to be "nice" and accomodate the questions with answers and/or explanations. Which OF COURSE leads to more questions and "debating"... Soooooooo
!!ENOUGH!! I would never do that with my OWN children!!! I think I was in hostess "be POLITE" mode, until it hit me; DUH... they are KIDS... treat them like KIDS...!!
My advice: Shut down the debates. Shut down the discussions, the lectures, the "health advice", the complaints....
I use the basic default of "Because I am The Grownup, and I Said So" as a general mindset. If it is backed by the consequence of "NOT following my rules will result in you NOT be allowed to be here", then it seems to be universally effective (for kids who want to be here, which they DO!!)...
There is nothing wrong with telling a CHILD "I am not going to discuss this with you". Or "Here are your options, and that's the end of it." Or "Because THAT is the rule in THIS house."
As long as there are reasonable options like you would do for any other kid, then that's the END of it. And if she *truly* can't deal with it, and wants to leave, then she can. But she won't. She just wants to push the limits, challenge adults, and debate with you, like I'm sure she does at home, without consequence! She wants to stay.
Oh, and my neighbor kids are much more pleasant to be around now, and we all get along just fine!!