Trust Me, It's Okay to Tell Your Child NO!

If you are a parent then you have more than likely experienced this scenario before. You are at the grocery store shopping, paying attention to your list and getting what you need. The kids are in the cart acting crazy because they don't enjoy riding around the grocery store in a cart while mom or dad shops. From time to time they stop and ask, "Can we have this?" You are barely paying attention and you say, "Yes." You get to the register to check out and the kids help you throw stuff up on the belt. When you go to pay you realize you went way over the amount you had planned to spend. You get home and realize that it's because of all the "extra goodies" that were placed in the cart along the shopping trip. Now, I could be completely wrong, but I'm betting every parent has experienced this at least once.

I have experienced the above scenario more times than I'd like to admit. Well, I'm here to tell you that it's okay for you to tell your children no. I know that for some people it's just easier to say yes. If they say no they might face a meltdown in the middle of the store and they simply don't want to deal with it. Or maybe you are that parent that has always said yes so saying no isn't something you know how to do. I used to be that parent that said yes because it was easier. I had a hard time saying no. I knew it would avoid a lot of whining and it was just easier on me.

Let me tell you this, it is easier to break this habit while your children are younger then to wait until they are five and seven. My children are now five and seven and I've decided that I don't always need to say yes. I am the mother, I am the one in charge and we play by my rules. Now, the first few times you tell your child no be prepared for a fit or tears or whatever it is your child does. It might not be pretty, but if you are consistent it will pay off. My children now know when we go shopping if they ask for something and I say no that it means no. There is no whining or crying about it. They accept it and move on. I didn't realize how easy it would be. Consistency is the key here. You can't falter from time to time or they'll realize they can break you down if they really want to.

It really is okay for us to tell our children no! If you are struggling with this give it a shot. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can change things by being consistent.