I was reading Parents magazine and heard about a new book called How to Con Your Kid: Simple Scams for Mealtime, Bedtime, Bathtime – Anytime! by David Borgenicht and James Grace. While I don’t love the title, I do love the idea.
I mean seriously! They are smaller than us, theoretically not as smart as us, and we are the parents, so what we say goes, right?! Wrong! That’s just not how it works in the real world! I talk to many of my girlfriends with toddler-aged youngsters and it seems we are all battling something with our little pre-madonnas! “She hates taking a bath,” “he runs from sunscreen,” or “she refuses to get dressed.” We find ourselves swapping antics to trick, distract, or redirect our kids in order to get them to wash their hair or sit still.
Borgenicht and Grace, both dads, came up with a hilarious and helpful guide to help parents get through the day. Here are some of our favorites:
- Issue: She refues to take a bath. Con: Make it a day at the beach. Strap on flippers and goggles and show her the doggy paddle and how to blow bubbles.
- Issue: He runs from the sunscreen. Con: Turn it into an art project. Use a white, creamy sunscreen and rub it on his belly as a “canvas,” then take turns drawing in it.
- Issue: She will not get dressed. Con: Try singing the “Clothes-y Pokey” to the tune of the Hokey Pokey. She puts her left arm in, she puts her left arm out…
- Issue: He can’t sit still. Con: Pretend you are a wizard and cast a “magic freeze spell” – just make sure he knows the freeze spell lasts until you say so.
- Issue: She refuses to share with others. Con: Pretend you are the “sharing fairy” and have a fun sheet of stickers or stamp ready. When she shares, she gets a special sticker from the fairy to show what a good job she’s doing.
- Issue: She hates having her hair washed. Con: Make a shampoo sculpture. Give her the giggles when she sees herself with a mohawk, horns, or a big spike on her head.
There are many more “cons” in the book that help with tantrums, taking medicine, and eating. – Lauri
What are your best “cons” for getting your kids to behave/eat/bath?
