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Parents I need your help! Does threatening children to throw their toys away make them clean up?

I'm babysitting my two younger cousins tonight and my older cousin (who is their mom) told me if they they refuse or won't listen to me then threaten them to throw their toys away and it will get them to keep their things and I gotta be a but "mean" to get them to learn.
I'm not TOO nice but respectful. My younger cousins are 8 and 4.
rottenrobi · 56-60, F
Making idle threats is silly. If you make a threat, you need to be prepared to follow through, otherwise they will never believe you'll do it again. Doing something as drastic as this, is hard to follow through on, but rest assured if you did, their rooms would always be clean from this point forward..
absolutely not - empty threats should never be made, and you should never punitively get rid of a child's treasured possession.

If they do not behave punish them directly and without cruelty... until they do obey your reasonable requests.
Hawnheart · 61-69
No, just makes them cry.
melbeacher · 56-60, M
Yes threats do work. I have to threaten my kids with taking their phone away or turning off the wifi !
melbeacher · 56-60, M
@BigDana27: Yes you are rite. Sometimes that is the only way to get them to do something !!! I am with you 100%
@melbeacher: Yeah. They ended up cleaning up after themselves. I told them they better listen to their parents which is my older cousin and her husband.
melbeacher · 56-60, M
@BigDana27: Way to go ! You can baby sit my kids any time !!!
Canicu69 · 70-79, M
I would tell them in the beginning, not a threat, cause I would do it. Communicate with both and tell them that they have to keep their things picked up or they will have to go to bed 1/2 hour early. If they don't then send them to bed 1/2 hour early without fail. Make sure they pick up their stuff prior to sending them to bed. insure that they are in bed 1/2 hour before including any pick ups, baths, brushing of teeth, and pajamas. you are the adult, you make sure they understand.
RealMustangGuy · 61-69, MVIP
When I was a little kid (a long time ago) my mom had this large powerful vacuum cleaner. She threatened that if I didn't put away my little toy soldiers when I was done she would vacuum them up. I didn't listen, and it was not an idle threat. I watched in horror as those powerful impellers shredded my army men as they went up into the vacuum. But I never left any toys out when I was done after that.
Pop0159 · 61-69, M
People including kids are individuals .. .. Listen to mom she likely knows what works but don't be afraid to try your own way or style .. .. it may also work .. .. Your being nice and explaining why might work .. .. if not you can always resort to the threat .. ..
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no, threatening them does not,, they dont belive you will do it

DO IT! take em way.
then you have their attention
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
Work with the$ and show them how wonderful it is to cooperate in the clean up.
Sssslm · F
when my mum did that when i was young, me and my brother accused her of ruining our toys.
nudistsueaz · 61-69, F
Not if you buy them more...

 
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