Love and Logic Magic For Early Childhood by Jim Fay & Charles Fay Ph.D

Author:Jim Fay & Charles Fay Ph.D. [Fay, Jim]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Midpoint Trade Books
Published: 2011-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

Guidelines for Giving Choices

• Give 99% of choices when things are going smoothly.

• Provide choices only on issues that are not dangerous and don’t create a problem for anyone else on the planet.

• Always offer two options, each a choice that makes you happy.

• Choose for the child in ten seconds flat if the child doesn’t.

* * *

Although his parents don’t use Love and Logic, Harry is a sweet little kid. He and Alex, both about five, were watching a movie one evening when Alex was having a sleepover. Alex’s dad is a Love and Logic master. Here’s what happened as it was getting close to bedtime.

“Okay, guys, time for bed,” Alex’s dad says.

“We haven’t finished our movie,” Harry replies.

“Yeah, Dad,” Alex concurs with his buddy.

“Oops!” Dad says. “I forgot to give you a choice. Would you like to go to bed now, or would you like to go to bed when the movie’s over in fifteen minutes?” Dad was clearly fine with either choice.

“We want to wait!” the boys cry in unison.

“Okay,” says Dad. “Go ahead and wait.”

When the movie is over, Dad asks, “Okay, guys, you want a story first, or no story?”

“A story!”

“Great. Okay. Do you want to hear about this turtle who didn’t want to go to school, or do you want to hear about Muffin, the kitty who thinks he’s a dog?” Finally, “You guys have to decide where you’re going to brush your teeth. Do you want to brush them upstairs, or downstairs in the utility room with that cool sink?”

The beauty of these choices is that little children love them. They make these choices excitedly and feel they’ve gained some control in their lives. As an adult, you’re thinking, “Is this silly, giving them these choices that don’t seem to matter?” No way! Young children adore them.

“Okay, you guys, would you like a glass of water near your bed, or do you want to come to the sink anytime you get thirsty?” Then, “Do you want to sleep in bed, or do you want to pull all the covers onto the floor and pretend you’re camping? Wouldn’t that be cool? Well, you decide.”

Finally, “Do you want your light on, or off?” This, Alex’s dad decides, is the last choice he will give. Has Dad made a lot of deposits so far? No doubt. Now, it’s his turn. “Okay, you two. It’s time for bed.”

“No! No! We don’t want to go to bed. We’re not tired!”

“Hey, don’t I give you a lot of choices? Didn’t you just decide …” and Dad runs down the list. Then, with great love in his eyes, he says, “Well, this last choice is mine. Time for bed. See you in the morning.”

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.