Reason

Never argue with a three year old, you will not win. The best way to communicate with a toddler is choice. Do you want to go to bed in your dinosaur jammies or the hockey ones? It takes going to bed off the bargaining table and gives them options. They think they are controlling the situation. If you are asking them a yes or no question…. probably going to get what they want. They will choose whatever makes life harder!

Rushing around trying to get everyone out the door can be very exhausting. Anything with tots can be! So state the non negotiable and sweeten it with choice. Time for lunch, do you want your sandwich in squares or triangles? We are going to the grocery store, do you want you bring a stuffy or a book? Of course this isn’t always effective, but this approach helps.

If you are good at it, you can use it on spouses too! Seriously though, being stubborn, I know if things are presented to me in a certain way, I am more apt to do them. Think of it as a life hack. Once you are old enough to reason, the debates are on. This just helps choose the battles.