Power Words - Parenting Secrets Revealed

Improve your communication with children by sprinkling these power words, actions and phrases into your daily banter:

Getting through a normal routine like getting off to school, bathtime, bedtime

Try the sportscaster play-by-play routine -

"And number 25 is getting his clothes off, he's dumping them in the hamper, he's rounding the edge of the tub, and he's getting his hair wet, look at him scrubbing all the bases, and he's rinsed! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, number 25 is rinsed! Let's dry him off as the crowd roars its obvious approval!"

P.S. Don't forget to roar your obvious approval too!

Make it a race between two kids to reach the goal - "First one in bed is my favorite tonight!"

Okay, I know what you are thinking - that's cruel to the other child or children, but your secret is that they all know that they are your favorite and that you love them more than anyone else in the world. I first saw this technique in action when my friend John, a definite Power Parent, used it on his teenage girls. Yes, at that age, there was eye rolling, but it was sparkling eye rolling. They love it.

When a child falls down on the playground

"Dust yourself off!"
Nine times out of ten, this will avoid the crying fit.

When you feel a round of cranky coming on

"The crabby is going to crab you!"
Little gentle tickle/pinches all over will change anyone's attitude, even the crankiest. I would not recommend using this technique with strangers though. Jail time would not be funny.

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