Say Yes

Let “Yes” be your default answer to your children. We have a bias toward the negative. When we ask children what the most common thing their parents say they respond, “No”. Instead of an automatic “no”, we can say, “Sure, I will play a game with you if you can finish your homework first” or “That sounds like a great idea if everyone can help pick up the house before we go.” Taking a little time to respond instead of offering an automatic reaction may help you to be a little more creative in your response. What would it take for you to say yes to their request? Of course, sometimes you need to say no if the request is unacceptable like wearing a seatbelt or getting the proper amount of sleep. If this is the case, then explain your reasoning. This shows respect to your child and is an opportunity to model problem solving and decision making skills.