Tuesday 27 April 2010

The Power of 1,2,3......

I'm not sure exactly when it began, but at some point around the time my eldest was starting to get defiant and downright awkward, I started counting to 3.

Every time I told her to do something, she would do the opposite. So one day, having tried everything else, I just shouted, "Right, I'm going to count to 3. 1.......2......" and to my surprise and delight she did what she was told.

Now I never actually said what would happpen if I reached 3 - it was just an unspoken understanding that it would be something unthinkably bad! And from that day on, whenever I felt myself getting to the end of my tether, I just started counting in a menacing way.

She's nearly 5 now and it still works. It's most effective at bedtime, when she's stalling for time. And, to be fair, my menacing counting now contains the added bonus of 2 and a half, and 2 and three quarters, just to increase my bargaining time. Sometimes I don't even get past 1. Other times she'll shout "Don't count mum!" and do what she's told straightaway.

So when all else fails, never underestimate the power of 1,2,3...... Although I'm not expecting it to still be as effective when she's a teenager, wanting to wear unsuitable clothes and date inappropriate boys. But until then, I'm making the most of it!

4 comments:

Jen Walshaw said...

Oh how I wish that still worked for me. My boys are being openly naughty at the moment, pushing boundries again

Unknown said...

Three is never enough where my son is concerned - has to be at least 10! I also find myself counting in my head whilst walking away from certain situations with the kids, just so I don't automatically shout at them.

Beth said...

1, 2, 3 is the greatest.

We count in Welsh which has more of an effect than in English with LM.
I rarely use the naughty step because of this. :)

Snafflesmummy said...

ha, yes 1.2.3 works for us too. Not sure what happens at 3 either.

Post a Comment