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: - Play Add lightness. Silly walk, hopping to the door, tiny game. - Challenge “Think you can beat me to the gate?” “Let’s see if you make it before I count to 10.” - Join them Walk with them. Put an arm around them. Move together. - You can also offer simple choices: “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. 🙂