Turn Your Words Into Gold

Turn your words into gold, by using enforceable statements without threatening, reminding or nagging your children/teens to do what you ask of them.

Do you as a parent often find yourself repeating yourself to your children/teens?

Do you often find times when you have to be stern, mean or even demanding to get your child/teen to behave?

As parents, we sometimes wish we did not have to manage our children. But there is a better way — using enforceable statements to empower your kids and cause them to “think” about their action.

Have you ever caught yourself saying any of the following types of statements to your child or teen?

1. Don’t talk to me in that tone of voice!

2. Write neatly or you won’t get a good grade.

3. For crying out loud, take out the trash!

4. Quit calling those kids names.

5. Stop all of this bickering!

6. Quiet down or you’ll sit in your room for the rest of the night.

It’s easy to say these types of statements, called unenforceable statements, but what we don’t realize is they actually cause more problems for you and your kids. They are unenforceable because you’re telling your kids what to do, instead of using enforceable statements that kids can see value in and then can become more willing to cooperate with you.

Have you noticed when you use any of the above statements, you have to repeat yourself, or punish your kids?

With an obese child, this can cause them to eat more, watch more TV and, frankly, it will not build their self image. In other words, you’re not building a champion for life.

The goal of Every Child Healthy is to build champions for life.

Following are some examples of how you can turn your words into gold with your kids. When you catch yourself telling your child or teen any of the following:

“Don’t talk to me in that tone of voice!”

Instead try saying, “I’ll listen as soon as your voice is as calm as mine.”

“Write neatly or you won’t get a good grade.”

Instead try saying, “I can only review your homework if I can read it.”

“For crying out loud, take out the trash!”

Instead try saying, “I’ll be happy to do extra nice things for you when you’re done with your chores.”

“Quit calling those kids names!”

Instead try saying, “You may stay on the playground as long as you aren’t causing a problem for other kids.”

“Stop all of this bickering!”

Instead try saying, “I charge $2 per minute for listening to brothers and sisters fight.”

“Quiet down or you’ll sit in your room for the rest of the night!”

Instead try saying, “You can continue to enjoy playing together as long as you lower your voices.”

Can you see the power in these enforceable statements? Enforceable statements redirect a child/teen towards a more empowering way of thinking and behaving, by giving them a choice. If they choose it, everyone wins; if they choose not to take advantage of the choice, then it’s their responsibility to take on a consequence that fits the behavior.

These are great examples of enforceable statements. They makes parenting easier, less stressful and ask that children/teens act responsibly. And, most of all, your children will be more inclined to listen when they see they can win and that there are perceived consequence for not listening.

Notice that you don’t have to tell and yell, get upset or stressed out. Just stick to turning your words into gold with your children/teens.

Parents, take the burden and stress OFF you, by using enforceable statements that work. Everyone has the chance to win and you aren’t left feeling like the bad or mean parent by threatening, yelling or telling children and teens what do all the time.