When your child says âWhy canât I get a puppy?â
Instead of defaulting to âMy house, my rulesâ
Try âAny pet is a lot of responsibility. A puppy would have to be fed, walked, and taken outside to use the bathroom several times a day and taken for regular check-ups and vaccinations at the vet. You canât do all of that by yourself, and I/we donât have the time or money either.â
When your teenager says âWhy canât I come home at 2:00 this Saturday?â
Instead of defaulting to âMy house, my rules!â
Try âThe time you come home is a matter of respect and consideration. I/We will not only be concerned for your safety, but we would either be disturbed in the middle of the night when you arrive or forced to stay up for several extra hours waiting.â
When your child says âWhy am I not allowed to do this thing?â
Instead of defaulting to âMy house, my rules!â
Try actually communicating a legitimate reason, because children pick up on subtlety and on context and on the unspoken messages, and itâs better to teach children lessons like âYou should think really hard before taking on new responsibilitiesâ and âItâs important to show consideration for the needs of the people with whom you share a living spaceâ than lessons like âItâs okay for people to demand your absolute obedience so long as youâre dependent on them for survival.â
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