What do you do when your child won't take no for an answer?

[bluebane]

My 7yo is literally trying to wear me down by asking me the same thing on repeat until she gets it.
She does this a lot and I'm losing my mind.
It can be something I've said no to or something she wants immediately and will not stop keeping on until she gets.

When you say in a minute do you set a timer? Because a minute rarely means that, for a child that’s an abstract concept that could mean anything.

A better answer is “I will get you a snack when I have finished…” whatever you’re doing.

I don't know if it's always an attempt to change your mind, because my 7 year olds also sometimes do it when I have already said yes to something. It's like they can't remember the answer so ask again.
I usually ask whether they remember asking the question before and what the answer was. If they keep asking, at some point I say in a calm neutral voice that I am going to stop answering that question.

She's old enough at 7yrs to understand so I'd calmly reiterate that you said 'in 5 mins' (you need to be specific & realistic re. time - maybe get an actual timer?) & tell her that if she keeps on, she won't get whatever it is AT ALL. Stick to your guns.

Sorry I know this is not helpful for OP but this has cracked me up. 😂

I've found this thread really helpful as my 6yo is exactly the same! It's always been irritating but even worse since I had DC3 a few months ago and literally have my hands full a lot of the time.

It can be over absolutely everything and often it's not something I've said no to, just constant asking over something I can't physically do right that second. One example - yesterday I put dinner out first on the table in the dining room for both DC1 and (younger) DC2. DH was nap trapped in the other room with the baby and is also unwell. DC1 got ketchup out the fridge and was struggling to squirt it on the plate. She shouts of me whilst I'm plating up DH's dinner in the kitchen - mummy can you help me with the ketchup?! I don't answer, as I'm plating up DH's dinner, and I try to avoid yelling across rooms. She comes into the kitchen, sees me plating up the dinner, asks again - I say I will just sort daddy's dinner out and give it to him, then I will come and do it for you. She goes back to the table. A minute or so later, as I walk into the dining room with DH's dinner (have to go through it to get to DH in the living room), she asks me again. I tell her sweetie I need to give daddy his dinner, (had my hands full of it), then I will come and help you with the sauce. Walk less than 10 steps into the next room, haven't even passed over the plate to DH yet when I hear shouted from the other room "WILL SOMEONE HELP ME WITH THIS SAUCE?!"

Just why?!

Stop saying no as “no”. It confuses the shit out the little blighters 😂

Difficult withou context but it’s a game changer, instead say yes you can do that / have that later/tomorrow/ when you’re old enough.

Saying a yes (as a no) and distraction is key!

Could your child be ND and taking the in a minute very literally.
no means no
not whine for a bit until yes

also children are seeking attention as screens do things instantly but humans don’t so any negative attention is good. Try and ignore the whining even though it will be hard.

Get a timer and set it for a short period to begin with until they get used to it. A sand timer is good as it is visual. Plus if they ask again then you can turn it on its side and pause it.