Round Two
Second chance: let’s take it from the top.
“Hi, guys!”
“Hi, honey. Listen, Mom and Dad have to talk about something
very important for a few minutes, so you go play for a little bit.”
“I wanna be here with you. I promise I won’t listen.”
“That’s 1.”
“I don’t have anything to do.” (Badgering)
“That’s 2.”
Michelle leaves, a bit teary.
How Did They Do?
Mom and Dad probably feel a little bit guilty, but they handled the situation well.
You can’t give the kids everything they want.Arguing
As Mom is working in the kitchen after dinner, eleven-year-old Jeff
asks:
“Can I go out after dinner to play?”
“No, dear, you still have homework to do,” says Mom.
“I’ll do it when I come back in, right before bed.”
“That’s what you said last night, honey, and it didn’t work.
Remember?”
“Oh, please Mom. I promise!” (Badgering, butter up)
“Get your homework done first, and then you can go out. If you
work hard, it shouldn’t take more than a half hour.”
“Why can’t I just go out now? I’ll DO MY STUPID
HOMEWORK!” (Intimidation)
“That’s 1.”