"Sure. Yes. Fine. Please do what I have said no to, do it over and over again, as much as you want, as often as you want, for as long as you want!"
That's what I find myself wanting to say (yell, scream) at my two boys sometimes when they keep asking me the same question over and over again. With the older one, it is usually about something he wants to buy (as in me buy for him) at Wal-Mart or Target. With the younger one, it is usually about something he wants to do or to eat that for very good reasons (to an adult) he cannot do at that moment.
Some of this is natural and is just want kids too, and as adults we do it too.
If I am really honest, I know that one of the reasons they keep asking is that every now and then I will give in and say yes. I know that giving in only reinforces the repeated questions, and teaches them that all they have to do is keep asking until I give in. This is the part that really frustrates me and makes me mad at myself.
I mean, as a parenting coach and marriage and family therapist, I give parenting advice and coaching for a living.
Visit http://www.ParentingYourTeenager.com for tips and tools for thriving during the teen years. For regular weekly tips you can subscribe to our f-ree Parenting Your Teenager Newsletter You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 5 day e-program on The Top 5 Things to Never Say to Your Teenager from parenting coach and expert Jeff Herring.
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