Parenting tips that Do Not Work for your child

[NotQuiteCockney]

DS2 is 2.5, and tantrummy. I am really starting to hate the 'offer him a choice of two' thing. If I offer him a choice of two, he will either refuse both of them (but accept something else, if I keep offering things), or, today, he demanded both. So he's wearing two tshirts today.

What tips do your children refuse to go along with?

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not shouting.

I never used to be shouty, but talking doesn't sink in. Or sinking to eye level and explaining. Gripping his head and blinkering his eyes so all he can see is my face works for 2 seconds.

But I don't temper-shout, more of a stage voice, that pierces through a noisy background.

Someone will probably come and tell me I do shout now

But I am having to be very very non aggressive in my raised voice, partly because I hate sounding like a really ratty mum, but also ds2 is a delicate little flower and wilts and the hintiest sign of a disapproving frown.

don't get me wrong, I never did much of the eye level explaining thing. But a deep slow threatening voice, as sinister as poss, torch below chin style.

I tried that PD I reallY did. And to be fair, as he gets older, and his ability to concentrate improves, explanations are wortking better now, as long as they are simple and quick, but GOD sometimes I would have to physically hold his feet onto the floor to make him stop jumping up and down and look in my direction!