I believe everyone has an inner Napoleon.  And it depends on our personalities how often we choose to exert our internal tyrant.

The other day I was helping my daughter get dressed for school.  I had already picked out the outfit.

She was watching her morning program on T.V. (which is a great distraction!) as I said,

“Raise your arms” to take off her night shirt. 

We do this most every day, and she’s never questioned my choice of clothing or even that I help her put her shirt on.  But, for some reason this particular day, Napoleon was out and Napoleon decided to keep the night shirt on!

Upon getting over the shock of the rebuttal, I gathered my wits about me and quickly came up with a response. 

“Sweetie, do you want the purple shirt or the blue one with the snowman on it?”  I said.

She tore her eyes away from the T.V. to tell me she wanted the blue one.  I left the room (because the T.V. is NOT in her bedroom), got the blue shirt from her closet, and successfully put it on her.

I was so proud of myself for having averted a near disaster.  The disaster being that she wanted to keep her night shirt on (which wasn’t going to happen – remember Pippi?), or that she would have a melt down and I would be left dressing a flailing body.

From that experience and from talking with other moms I’ve learned that kids, like adults, like to be in control.  And when they decide that they’re going to exert control, you must give them a choice.  Making a decision means they are in control.  So, it’s up to the parents to be savvy in giving them a smart choice.

To quote a very smart mom, "they don’t have a choice about drinking milk for breakfast, but they can choose between a blue or orange glass."

When I’m thinking straight, I’ve started applying this new knowledge and you’d be amazed at how well it works.

I imagine this can carry on at least until they're pre-teens.  By that time, I should be a creative genius!

Try it and let me know how you succeed!!