I mean really, you know how much doodoo kakka my parenting is in when I am telling my 3 and 5 year old that I need to have a ‘serious discussion’ with them.
A serious discussion to a five year old is usually defined as a conversation about video game or computer time.
A serious discussion to a three year old is usually defined as a conversation about how many pink things she can wear that day.
Sitting them in the car to discuss ‘behavior’ is not going to work. Why would I even try?
Because it beats SCREAMING at them I suppose.
I guess simple and direct is best at that age, but I kwym, they don’t really get it LOL.
I still say grab the “Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood” book–choices and consequences that kids younger than 3 can grasp. Our three year old son notes for himself now, “I’m making good decisions.” And yes, very rarely, he’ll declare, “I want to make bad decisions!” and does so. Else he wouldn’t be three, would he?
Hang in there.