She’s recently turned five and loves to use my “smart” sayings on me. For example “if I wanted more food I would have asked for it!”
She also loves to negotiate. If I tell her pick up something she’ll do it if I help her to pick up something else.
My husband and I have read many books on how to raise children. And have tried many tricks. The best one is the reward chart. If she does something regularly, she’ll get something as a reward after a few days (like a sweet).
She likes to use this idea on me as well. For example, if she listens and respects me she’ll get a reward, then she’ll draw up a chart for me also and I have to also listen and respect her and I’ll also get a reward – like a painted picture from her. It sounds very cheeky of her, but in a sense it does help me to pay better attention at understanding her reasoning.
The other day we stayed at her granny. While eating supper her granny accidently dropped a tomato on the floor. She apologised and said she’ll pick it up later. She forgot and the next day my daughter discovered this and reminded her granny about her promise. Her granny who was sitting comfortably did not feel like getting up to obey her grandchild, told her, “oops” she’ll pick it up later. My daughter then got paper to draw up a chart for her granny to do what she said she’d do and she’ll get a star once she has done it.
Granny, who is very stubborn and did not feel like taking orders from a child, told her she would do it later. This negotiating over a star (that granny didn’t even want) took several endless minutes. Eventually I have to just ask granny to give-in and when she did there was peace.
I have learnt over the last five years of raising her that she is clever so I must be careful what I say.
But, I am normal and I do lose my nerve every now and then.
