seriously - how do you get them to do what you want?

[mamaJK]

without threats or bribery?
I am getting progressively more pregnant and physically forcing my little boy (26 mths) to do something is starting to HURT!!

PLEASE HELP ME!!

I have tried so many things - I have a pretty good imagination and try to get him to laugh or make it fun and him want to do it.

aaaaaaaarrrrrrrghhhhhh!!

my biggest problem is trying to get him to go upstairs - ideas?? fun ideas very welcome!!!

I don't know the answer because I was thinking bribery is good

When you say getting him to go upstairs is that a problem with stairs in general or going up to go to bed? I find saying it's time to go up to have story time works better than saying bedtime.

just pick him up and carry him?

We go on the bedtime train and all choo choo upstairs!! We hop upstairs, or go up the stairs backwards. And there's nothing wrong with bribes, like 'if you come upstairs now you can have extra bubbles in your bath'. Bribes are great especially if you are pregnant!

yes, I am pg too and find I have a LOT less patience with DD dragging her heels / arguing about every tiny request. She is 2.4 so very similar age. I find that when the enthusiastic encouragement and trying to turn everything into a fun game doesn't work I just explain to her that we don't have time for the drama, that I am going to ask her 3 times nicely to do whatever it is we need to do, after which I will carry her physically. I'm also getting quite good at sitting and waiting patiently for her tantrum to finish without making eye contact or saying anything. It's quite liberating now I've got the hang of this whole 'ignoring' thing, I can get on with clearing out my handbag or whatever while she lies on the floor refusing to take her shoes off. But my friends all think I am super-strict and evil because of it.

Try saying "I'm going to win!" or similar-then run off upstairs/put on shoes/do up your coat in a funny and slow way to let your child win-works really well with my DS who's 2.10!

Or bribe with chocolate! :)

Sim to Elporto - I say to my dd (2.10) that I will count to three and then will put her coat on/carry her upstairs etc. Normally works. I also find that making casual observations about 'big girls' putting their coats on (or whatever) seems to motivate her!

haha - thank you so much! these are great ideas.

elportodelgato i have to wait for tantrums to finish too because nothing i do to try and help him works anyway.
good tip to see it as extra time for yourself :)

i will be trying all these ideas - including bribery at least for the next 9 months!!