Mamaof3

When I was a little kid, I'd get so frustrated and angry when my mom or dad answered "Because I said so." and I promised myself that I'd explain why to my kids when they ask why. This could mean anything from "why can't I have more ice cream" to "why cant I wear shorts today" to "why cant I ride my bike to school" etc and on and on....

this works nicely for my oldest and youngest. The middle guy though - man he wears me out. He has an answer for everything, not being snotty or snide, but he can keep the discussion going for hours if I let it go on. If I tell him he cannot have a cookie because he already brushed his teeth, he'll tell me but I'll brush them again. So I tell him that he's already had his dessert, he'll say but I'm hungry. So I tell him that he'll have to wait till breakfast, get the hungry argument once again, tell him ok if you're that hungry, you can have some more dinner. He doesnt want more dinner and why cant he have juts onemore cookie if he brushes his teeth reeeeally well....I usually end up completely frustrated and telling him that my answer is my answer, do not say another word, this is the end of the story and if it continues, he doesnt get any dessert for a week.

what do you think? Maybe the "Because I SAID so" would work better with this son? But then again, he's exactly the type that gets frustrated like I did when I was young and was told this. ack!!

littlemiss

Don't negotiate with him.......change the subject. My youngest is a bit like your middle one always has an answer for everything. The trick is DISTRACT him from the conversatoin after you have made your point (e.g. i always start with...Do you know what happened to mummy today...i was etc etc etc.....always works for me!!!!