help, going mad, 3.5 yr dd refusing teeth, face, hair routine every morning

[maryo2]

help, going mad, 3.5 yr dd refusing teeth, face, hair routine every morning

• hello wise people I am after some advice. Internally I am so irate over this issue I could......

It has been going on for months. ds is 1.5. So he arrived when she just turned two and I'd say we've had our fair share of terrible 2s and 3s now! It is a pure psychological battle. She can proudly do face, teeth and hair all on her own if she wants to. It is just a routine. Brekky in pjs, play a bit, then get dressed - a kind of joint effort between us - this used to be a major battle, but has improved. Then I ask her to come into the bathroom for face, teeth, hair. And she refused. I try being patient, funny, waiting. Was rewarding her with a 5 min peppa pig video after - but this isn't working any way. I generally resort to the naughty step after which she complies. But have I really got to do that every morning?? dh doesn't really like that, but I haven't got the patience any more. I am losing the plot. i think I need a complete change of tack ....... was thinking of saying if teeth aren't brushed then no sweet food all day... but not sure if I can cope with the tantrums that will result.... thanks in advance. Mary O

Have you thought about a reward chart with stickers for teeth, face and hair?

i have, and i guess i might try this again. i haven't used sticker charts for a while. but i've also read that at the end of the day this is still the ''carrot and stick'' approach. How can I really motivate her to have the pride to do these things for herself?
not knocking sticker charts because the other thought i have had is they can help to embed certain behaviours, and make family life less stressful, during a difficult phase.... maybe i'm answering my own question here.
she obviously feels the need to rebel at the mo.
so perhaps we better smooth over a hard phase with a sticker chart....
then if the whole family is happier she'll probably begin to feel happier too and be more eager to please....??
i'm always at loss for rewards. it shouldn't be food. i'm not much of a shopper....
any ideas anyone?
anyone else gone through these dilemmas about true motivation .... its all very child psychology....
Mary O

I give ours a choice... Do you want to come and do your teeth/face etc or do you want to go and sit on the naughty step... works every time... sort of pre-empts the battle and as they've "chosen" what they want to do, it gives them a feeling of being in control!!