AIBU to threaten child with policeman?

[sunshineandrainbowsparkles]

I am running out of patience with my rather 'spirited' child (aka recalcitrant little shit) and have started saying I'm going to have to call the policeman to come round and discuss her behaviour, which somehow has quite a good effect. Am I being a total idiot?
Her tantrums are ridiculous, throwing herself into a fit of screams and whinges (very loud) just because I say no.
What shoddy tactics do you use to make your children behave?
Please make me feel better about my feeble attempts at parenting

[catsatonthemat]

Yes you are. Don't teach your child to feat the police. How old is she?

[Froggybedlegs]

If your child is secondary school age and doing something illegal then fair enough. If your child is young then you are absolutely being unreasonable, as pp said they shouldn't fear the police, they should see them as people who they can ask for help.
Also though, if you have to turn to a fictional outside agency to discipline your child then this is never going to be effective discipline long term.

[sunshineandrainbowsparkles]

She's 3. 🙈 I already knew deep down this is a ridiculous attempt at discipline, and it contradicts what I usually tell them regarding the police.

[Orsono]

It's not a great idea because at some point she'll work out you're never really going to call the police and she won't have any reason to take whatever else you try seriously. Only threaten sanctions you're prepared and able to carry through.

That said, I still use "I'm going to count to three" on DS who is 6. I have no idea what will happen when I reach three, but he hasn't worked that out yet so I never have. :)

[InDubiousBattle]

Noooo. My friend is a police officer and hears this all of the time. If my dc get lost I want them to run to a police officer, not away from them. Also you're threatening something you aren't gong to carry out, what if she says "go on then"?

Shoddy parenting? Bribery, threats and corruption!

My 3.5 year old ds is starting to come out of the worst of the tantrumming phase (please god) just as dd (almost 2)is leaping in feet first. With dd we're still on avoid/ignore/distract/never give in to cope with tantrums. With ds we have recently tried a star chart (having tried and failed with them before)and it has worked well.

What are the main triggers in your house?