Extremes
Sometimes going to extreme measures with kids is necessary. On occasion, simple answers carry very little weight. Kids need a detailed dramatic picture to get through their hard heads.
Example:
Me: Mo, please don’t put those legos in your mouth.
Mo: Why?
Me: Because I asked you not to….(he takes it out but does it again 2 minutes later)
Me: Mo, please don’t put those legos in your mouth.
Mo: Why?
Me: I don’t want you to choke…(he takes it out but does it again 2 minutes later)
Me: Mo, please don’t put those legos in your mouth.
Mo: Why?
Me: Because they can get stuck in your throat, close off your esophagus, put a strain on your bronchial tubes, then I have to call 911, find a babysitter for your brother while we rush you to the hospital, spend hours driving in circles trying to find a parking place. Then you will have to get numerous painful shots, you will probably start bleeding, blood will gush out everywhere, ruining your new favorite Star Wars shirt, get all gross in your hair, we’d have to wash your hair (and I know how much you hate that) and you could DIE!!!!!!
He spits the legos out and hasn’t put one in his mouth since.
Sometimes you have to go to extreme measures.
I do this ALL THE TIME with my boys. At the end of every sentence I always say you will perish! LOL. Definitely extreme measures.
I didn’t do this with my daughter but I definitely did it with my son. Boys are just so rebellious and curious. Males are visual by nature so you really have to paint a clear picture for them. It worked for a few years, then he caught on around age 9.
That is just mean! lol
YOU ARE SO WRONG FOR THAT NORA!!!!!
I am so trying this. I need help! my boys don’t listen to anything. maybe if i start scaring the shit out of them it will work.
Wow. Mind if I use that one? For some reason, Joseph just recently started putting stuff in his mouth. Your convo with Mo sounds just like mine and Joseph’s, except for the ending, of course.
Too funny Nora! I was actually able to (after several minutes of: ‘running scripts’, ‘processing style sheets’, ‘downloading images’)…able to pull this one up on my bb! Yeah me
) I’ve already figured this out w/ my year & a half old too. He can’t quite talk full sentences…but he is definitely talking back. & trying to negotiate w/ me when I warn ‘no Bryce…u’ll hurt urself…’. So, I just promise & inform him that when he hurts himself, he’s doomed. “No, no, Bryce. Don’t do that honey…becuz the hospital is closed.” 
I’m gonna rip you a new one. That’s all I have to say.
Look how grown up he’s getting. What a cutie. Do what you must to keep your boys safe and healthy. Embellishment works well.