Round Two
Let’s give Mom another chance to get this one right. Actually, Rita’s
mother has two choices: (1) counting Rita for speeding and at count 3
taking away the cart, and (2) not letting Rita have a cart in the first
place.
OPTION 1: COUNTING RITA FOR SPEEDING
“Mom! Can I push a cart?”
“Yes, dear. But you have to walk with it. If I count you to 3 for
running, I’ll take the cart away.”
Rita does fine for three minutes, then starts running with the
kiddie cart.
“Rita, that’s 1. At 3 you lose the cart.”
How Did She Do?
This approach is much better. There will probably be hell to pay if Rita hits 3 and
has her cart taken away, so Mom should be ready to take the little girl out to the
car for a while until she finishes her tantrum. If returning to the car is necessary,
no parental “I told you so” comments are allowed.OPTION 2: NOT LETTING RITA HAVE THE KIDDIE CART
“Mom! Can I push a cart?”
“No. Last time you ran with it.”
“Why can’t I?”
“That’s 1.”
“I wanna push my own one!”
“That’s 2.”