For absolutely no reason whatsoever it dawned on me this month to start giving Marielle choices. I had read about that little trick in my favorite parenting book (also doubles as a handy marriage companion) and after only 2 years of fermenting in my brain, it stuck.
The first time I offered Marielle a choice, she looked at me with complete awe and excitement. It was just something basic, like "Do you want a banana or an apple" but she coudn't have been happier if I offered her ten million dollars in a lump sum or payable over 20 years. I'm no idiot - I only give her two choices, both of which are acceptable to me but she just loves it.
The first few times I had to coax her into making up her mind. The more I offer this freedom, the easier it gets. It's a good way for me to sneak in some two word combinations too like, "Do you want the purple shoes or the black shoes?" In a month's time she's going from barely pointing to making verbal requests for what she wants.
This whole tricking her into thinking she's a big girl might actually work. Soon I'll be asking, "Do you want to do the dishes or take out the trash?" As long as nobody teaches her the word "neither," this is going to work out fabulously.
Today's new spoken words - towel, tissues, blanket, pillow
November 12, 2008
The Right to Choose
Labels: talking
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1 comments:
Yes indeed! We began doing this when our kids were very small, to prepare them for the time when we are not there nearby. (We have no intention of moving into college dorms!) As soon as they could dress themselves, we began to let them choose what to wear, with a few limits. Of course, we also did *not* run up to school with a coat if they chose not to wear one - that was a lesson that choices have consequences.
David
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