As a parent, how do you get your kids to do something when they don’t want to? I mean sometimes it’s not even something unpleasant like getting a shot or having the tangles brushed out of their hair. Sometimes it’s just getting them ready, out the door and into their car seats.
I know I’m not the only one that has this issue, so I thought I’d share a rather brilliant strategy (if I do say so myself). Keep in mind this particular tactic only works once, so save it for a day you really need to get your child to cooperate. I call it:
The Day Disneyland Disappeared
Now excuse me while I refer to myself in the third person…
Picture a day like any day (it’s sunny or rainy or foggy), Unknown Mami is trying to get her kids in the car. They’re dressed and seemingly ready, but her eldest (Put Pie) is being contrary.
Somehow Unknown Mami manages to get both kids to the car, Luna Pie gets strapped into her brand new BRITAX car seat, but when it’s Put Pie’s turn everything comes to a screeching halt. The following conversation ensues.
UM: Mi’ja. come on. We need to go.
PP: I no wanna go.
Unknown Mami aware that reasoning or arguing will just prolong the situation, pretends to give in.UM: Fine. If you don’t want to get into your car seat, you don’t have to. Would you rather have a surprise?
PP: (confused, but always open to a surprise) Si, Mami!
UM: Okay, close your eyes and whatever you do, DO NOT OPEN THEM! We’re going to walk to your surprise.
Unknown Mami proceeds to walk Put Pie in circles, then picks Put Pie up.UM: Remember… keep your eyes closed. We’re here!
PP: Donde?
UM: Disneyland! Don’t open your eyes though. If you open your eyes, Disneyland will disappear. You don’t want Disneyland to disappear, do you?
PP: (emphatically) No!
UM: I’m going to strap you into a ride now. No peeking!
Unknown Mami quickly straps Put Pie in, jumps into the driver’s seat, buckles up, and starts the car.
PP: Mama, I scared.
UM: (feeling a little guilty) Don’t be scared, mama is here.Put Pie opens her eyes and realized she’s in the car.
PP: (yelling) Mami, dis da car, not Disneyland!!!
UM: I told you that if you opened your eyes Disneyland would disappear!
Relax! Just think of how happy she’ll be when she realizes Disneyland still exists. Calm down! I’ve never actually pulled this trick on Put Pie, but obviously I’ve spent quite some time thinking about it.
The way I actually get her into her car seat when she doesn’t want to is by using one of the following strategies…
- I tell her she can have one of her favorite snacks once she’s in the car and ready to go.
- I offer to let her play with the apps on my phone during the ride.
- I suggest she take a camera so she can take pictures out the window.
Yup, I resort to bribery. What can I say? I’m not perfect and sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures that’s why I’m keeping the Disneyland scenario in my back pocket for the time being.
Do you have any suggestions for parents on how to get their kids to cooperate?
Disclosure: I am a BRITAX Latina Advisory Board Member and this post makes me eligible to win a gift card. Wish me luck!
Photo: Adapted from work by Anthony Giorgio (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-2.5], via Wikimedia Commons.
Vanessa says
Horrible, horrible Mama you are! Haha… keeping this one in my back pocket 😉
unknownmami says
You never know when it may come in handy.
Zulay says
Haha that was so funny!
unknownmami says
Thank you! I think it’s funny too, my husband thinks it’s just evil.
Michelle At HonestandTruly says
Oh my holy cats that is awesome. If only the wee ones were still small enough that I could do that. *snort* You know people are going to try that one. I love it!
Divina and Eddy says
You amazing but crazy Mami! Some day my little men will definitely push me to this. ; )
Mama Zen says
Bribery is a mother’s best friend!
Rebecca says
Ha! My kids are so funny about going places. They LOVE LOVE LOVE getting in the car to go places so when we tell them we are on our way home they don’t want to get out of the car and go back into the house 🙂
I can no longer link to my blog and am having problems remembering my Disqus login information 🙁
Absence of alternatives says
Lol. Glad you weren’t so cruel. My mother in law gave me permission as soon as my first born came home, she said, Remember, bribery works!
lisleman says
I really thought you did it. Knowing you, you probably have a version for you husband too.
Tracy says
I know it will only work once with him, but I’ll tell sissy this one to try on nephew butterfly! 🙂
Vidya Sury says
😀 I am guilty of bribery too. What Mom isn’t?
I am sure you will win the gift card!
tracismixedbag says
I’m not a parent but I’ve babysat my strong willed nieces and nephews enough to know you do what you gotta do.
AutismWonderland says
HA! You are so wrong. (I LOVE it!)
Indigo Roth says
Hey Claudya! This is so devious ! So underhand! I MUST remember it! By the way, you’re back on my blogroll! Indigo
unknownmami says
Awesome! So great to reconnect with you.
RubyDW says
OMG! i need to use that one lol Fortunately my kids are pretty good about getting into their seats however that’s only because i get them so excited about getting out of the house. Talking about the exciting(even if it’s not) place you are about to go to works.
Carla says
Hilarious! Really wish I’d thought of this when my kids were smaller. Kid sister might be gullible enough but big sis would totally call me out. Love it! To get them in their car seats, I just tell them they can get in the car or go back into the house. They rush their little buns muy rapido into their seats =)
Mui Tsun says
Getting ready for anything is a huge issue here in our household. Your Disneyland trick sounds great but I’m not sure it’ll work with our 8-year-old boy who doesn’t care about Disneyland. I’m working on a variation. Starship Enterprise? 🙂
Eva Smith says
This was great! Definitely saving this one for the future.
Classic NYer says
Bribery is part of life. You’re preparing her for corporate America.
The Wise Latina Club says
“Whatever it takes” is a strategy a dear friend shared so I can get through the day. I’ll pay it forward. And as far as the Day Disneyland Disappeared, clever, wry, just sensational!
Chantilly Patiño says
Omg…you are evil!! LOL. You scared me for a second, but I love the tips at the end! 😉
Amanda Her says
Hahaha…that’s hilarious! You’ll have to keep us posted if you actually try it!
Cool Chill Mom says
You are a riot, and I could totally end up thinking like you….I wonder what would vanish next….. LOL this idea is over the top fantastic!!!
this will definitively help me keep my mom sanity.
Great tip on the camera.
unknownmami says
Thank you! Yeah, the camera has become an excellent bribe and she’s taken some great pictures, too.
Myrah - Coupon Mamacita says
OMG!!! I can’t stop laughing! Great!!
Bren @ Flanboyant Eats™ says
hahahahaha! I’ve never been to DL. This trick is fantastic! Would it be mean if I tried with my nieces and nephews? lol.