Language That Invites

The words you choose decide whether your child cooperates or resists. Commands trigger opposition. Invitations trigger partnership.

State what is happening instead of issuing an order:

• "Put your shoes on" becomes "Shoes are next on our list"
• "Don't touch that" becomes "That's a looking thing, not a touching thing"
• "Sit still at the table" becomes "Bottoms stay on chairs while we eat"

These phrases work because they remove the contest. Nobody is winning or losing. You are simply describing reality together. The child who fights "Do it because I said so" will follow "Here's what's happening next."