QUESTION:
Our son will be 3 in January and refuses to wear a jacket in the winter months. At times, we have forced him and other times we have allowed him to wear a sweater/vest in the hopes that he would realize he needs a jacket! In a situation like this, do you think it is better to allow them to see the consequences themselves or force them to do something?
ADVICE/SUGGESTION:
As the parent and authority figure in the house, do you think it is best for him to wear a jacket? If you do, then make him wear one. If you feel it is more important for him to learn the consequences of not wearing a winter jacket, then let him wear the sweater/vest. Unless this is character/obedience training, maybe this is a molehill issue, not a mountain. Maybe it's best to let it go.
As a boy, I remember so well the times I had to wear a big "blumpy" coat. It seemed to restrict my ability to run and have fun and play outside. It just got in the way.
Based on my limited knowledge of the situation-and if you feel it is a character/obedience issue-- I would say that he should wear the winter jacket. This is the best age for a child to learn that his job is to pay attention to his parents; it is not your job to pay attention to him. For his first two years of his life, he has been used to everyone doing his bidding. Age three is a perfect time to retrain that line of thinking. He has to learn to do YOUR bidding now. He needs to be retrained. And whenever he throws a fit about doing your bidding, apply a consequence that is fittingly memorable. When he does become "retrained", your relationship will become fondly memorable.
Mike Smart, CLPC
smartmike59@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment