There is a school of parenting thought where the parents don't use the word 'no' to their children. I found out about it when I overheard another parent at my daughter's nursery ask the staff whether they used the word. The staff were a little taken aback. I could see that they wanted to give the mother then answer she wanted, but that they were also thinking of the many many times a day they say it. "We only use it when it's necessary," one of them finally offered.
In my experience, it's often necessary. When my daughter goes to touch an electricity socket for example, or tries to eat a crayon. When she attempts to empty the kitchen bin or thinks 5am is morning.
I looked up the not saying no idea, or the 'No No' as I have started to think of it. Try to find an alternative to 'no', one book urged, suggesting that a toddler be distracted by a toy or an alternative activity instead. That way, it said, you can try to prevent your toddler entering the stage where they always say no.
Now call me old fashioned but I want my toddler to both hear and use the word no. I do not want to give her extra time to be electrocuted while I think of something as exciting as a plug to play with. I do not have the wherewithal to simultaneously find something fun for her to do with one hand while preventing her from running across the road with the other. And when she is faced with situations where she is offered a choice, you know - sweets from a paedophile, drugs from a big kid at nursery, a drink with spirulina in it, I hope she also says no, as firmly and confidently as possible.
I see your points, but as I've understood it, it wasn't so much as banning 'No' but trying other ideas so they don't build up an immunity to it. Also for my sanity as much as theirs, I find it better to use alternative phrasing, otherwise I turn into the No version of Ben Kingsley in Sexy Beast.
ReplyDeleteI'd even go so far as to say that the best bit of parenting advice I was given was use positive specific instructions with children, rather than negatives. Not because their tiny imperial demands should always be met, but because it's easier for them to understand, hopefully follow and (please god) lead to fewer arguments. An analogy I was given was controlling a toddler was like giving directions to someone driving. Rather than saying "don't turn left", "turn right" is easier to understand. Similarly "stop running around" Vs "come here and sit down with me"
Yes to No!
ReplyDeleteOf course the other end of the spectrum are parents who never bloody stop with the 'no's. Which children then either tune out and ignore or end up with their confidence undermined.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in this as it's something I talk about in my book about toddlers. I feel that it's more helpful to your child if you limit the times you say no (so that when you do say it it'll have more of an impact, eg if they are doing something dangerous and you want them to stop quickly.) And as Flaf says, tell your child what you want them to do rather than what you don't. Focus on the behaviour you want and you'll get more of it.