Have discovered the magical effect of counting to three!! lol

[airy]

DD 5 1/2 has been a complete nightmare recently, acting up constantly, kicking out at me in temper etc etc.
Having tried all manner of things to get on top of the behaviour and nothing working I have today discovered the magical effect of counting at her! lmao
I don't understand why this works though, anyone got any insightful ideas?
Today she refused to go to bed, got very surly and cheeky with me, all I said to her was I'm going to count and you better be in bed before I get to three, All I said was one and she flew!
I have no idea what I would have done if I'd gotton to three and so I presume neither does she, so why did it work???
(not complaining of course, just slightly bemused lol)

pmsl..ds is 2.9yrs and I have been doing this for a while..however sometimes he is particularly cheeky and I say one and he replies two three...very funny but obviously cant let him know that.

like that naughty step baloney

dd christened it 'the stroppy step' and took herself off to it when she wasn't happy with us

its when they go "......4....5.....7....4....6..." then grin becuase they have counted and are please with little selves - makes me laugh - but never showed it.

it only worked for so long for me. and when you have to up the number to ten " RIGHT I AMC OUNTING TO TEN" AFTER DOING 3 THEN 5 ITS TIME TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY!

sorry caps

lol custy. I now get to 10 and then go "Right! That's it!You have really blown it this time mister!" and watch them scrabble and jump to do my bidding, while cackling inwardly like an evil witch. I do like acting. I'm dreading the day they call my bluff and ask me in their most defiant tones to reveal the consequence, though... What is the consequence, anyway?

Ah ha- time out, i see. Didn't read earlier posts properly. Thanks. Mine are particularly bickery and short tempered atm so knowing this may come in handy.