When your child refuses to do 'the thing'...

Like going to School or their Activities or even Leaving the house.

Many children get into a loop where they repeat:

“I don’t want to go" or "I'm not doing xyz" or just ignore you...

Once a child enters that loop, talking about it too much often makes it bigger. Their brain has already decided the moment feels uncomfortable.

So instead of long conversations, try:

Acknowledge once, then lead.

“I hear you. Some mornings are harder. And today is still a school day.”

Then keep the routine moving.

Think of these moments like a menu of responses. Different tools work on different mornings.

Inside the Emergency Column, 3 options often help move a child from stuck to cooperating:

Add lightness. Silly walk, hopping to the door, tiny game.

“Think you can beat me to the gate?”

“Let’s see if you make it before I count to 10.”

Walk with them. Put an arm around them. Move together.

“Do you want to walk in holding my hand or race me?”

Make sure you check out the olive branch ideas in the parenting library resource
If you haven’t already, check the Foundation videos and Olive Branch ideas in the resources. They’ll help make sense of these moments and give you more tools for your parenting toolbox. 🙂

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