We have one working tv in our house, and it’s in the middle of the living room. So when the kids get to watch tv, I have to listen to it. They usually get a half hour after naps, and they usually choose Little Bill or Backyardigans. I was just so not in the mood today. So I reached into my bag of psychological trips and offered Jafta the “forced choice”. It’s when you give your child the illusion they are choosing something, when in fact the options lead to one outcome. I wanted the outcome to be High School Musical. 🙂
So when Jafta woke up from his nap, I asked if he wanted to watch Oprah or High School Musical.
Guess what he chose? I got a break from preschool cartoons, and he was just happy he didn’t have to watch Oprah!
I am SOO guilty of this kind of trickery. I still use this tactic with my kids, and they’re SEVEN and NINE! *blush* Am I really that kind of manipulative mom? Oh no!
Amen! It is all in the choices we give. Ah the power.
P.S. Love your Christmas letters. Laughing till I cry, and keep reading excerpts to my husband who is (trying to) watching a movie.