113. From Fun to Done: Ending Activities Without a Battle

We're diving into how to solve transition battles with kids to help you move seamlessly from one activity to the next with more joy and ease.

By the time you finish listening, you'll know:

How to stop the ineffective "coo-coo cycle" of commands and consequences and instead become the C.E.O. of transitions - with a powerful four-step approach.

1) Connection first (come alongside and notice what they have been playing with, or name it: "Boy! You have been having so much fun playing in this sand and building that castle. Look at it!"

2) Direct them to their "Last thing" when you have 2-5 min. left- like they say in Daniel Tiger's episode. This gives more empowerment and makes the child feel like they ended on the note THEY choose.: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ve0cp

3) Use tools that give choice/playfulness to encourage cooperation (from the "Empowering statements" handout: https://drive.google.com/.../114xMIG_i5SZv-OzZct.../view...). This is CRITICAL. Instead of just saying "we have to go", put their brain on choices

4) "2 roads" if needed. If they continue to not be motivated by all that - give a happy choice that has a happy result, vs. sad choice and sad result. Like: "well, you can go hopping or skipping, or I will hold your hand and help your body move to the car. You choose." I love the "What should Danny do" books to reinforce this idea in a way kids really like. https://www.amazon.com/.../ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_undefined...!

Check out episodes 111 and 112 for more summer parenting strategies. Next week we'll cover what to do when your child cries at drop-off.

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