Nanny-D....It Works

[MissAnn]

So, I decided to try Nanny D's "using as few words as possible". At first it did not feel right. I almost felt rude by saying just "up" or "stop" or whatever I needed to say.....on the other hand.....I'm not wasting words and I'm using the words that count and it really is more effective. I have a group full of active boys, so any advice is very well appreciated!

[Zoe]

That sounds like something I need to do. I feel like I hear myself too much during the day. ::

[nannyde]

::

(All my stuff works )

[MARSTELAC]

It does work! I tried it yesterday and today and it is AMAZING!!!! You are the best!!!

[Heidi]

Hey, if it works for dogs, why shouldn't it work for kids? ...

I said this already, but I'm trying to train my 14mo twins to stay on the bench while we get shoes on...sit... stay...

I'm a talker myself (dont know if you can tell by my long winded answers), so it's probably refreshing for them to NOT hear much from me!

[MissAnn]

::

(All my stuff works )

I have one girl who keeps sitting on her knees while eating. I would say...."Suzie Q sit on your bottom because I don't want you to fall and get hurt" then she would sit down and I would say "Thank you".

Today? Sit

And....she did

Problemo solved

[Kaddidle Care]

Hey, if it works for dogs, why shouldn't it work for kids? ...

Training kids is a LOT like training dogs. ::

[Solandia]

Short, sweet, and firm. There is no arguing, no hassling, and NO explaining until the command/request is completed(for the older ones). LOVE it.

I do this to my MIL (she thinks it is hilarious, it isn't to mock her). She will start complaining/scolding the kids, FIL or dh, and I will just say "sorry, MIL, it was more than 10 words." Its a catch-phrase/joke now...MIL and my dh both have this tendency to go into these diatribes when they are pissed off. Totally ineffective for kids, adults, everyone.

[SunflowerMama]

Nan what thread did you mention this in? I'd love to use less words.

[Unregistered]

I think that a child deserves some respect- they should no why they need to do something not just a one word commend IMO
Children are smarter than you think and really they will catch onto this 'commending' way you talk and begin to speak like that to others.
Imagine if you were told, 'Sit' and that is it... Well why should I sit, where should I sit, what will happen if I sit..
Anyway, if it works for you great I just think a child deserves more respect.
What is wrong with saying, " you need to sit on your bum or you will get hurt"
Or in your case, " you need to stop tattling because it is rude." and then if it continues right after than say 'stop'

[Solandia]

I think that a child deserves some respect- they should no why they need to do something not just a one word commend IMO
Children are smarter than you think and really they will catch onto this 'commending' way you talk and begin to speak like that to others.
Imagine if you were told, 'Sit' and that is it... Well why should I sit, where should I sit, what will happen if I sit..
Anyway, if it works for you great I just think a child deserves more respect.
What is wrong with saying, " you need to sit on your bum or you will get hurt"
Or in your case, " you need to stop tattling because it is rude." and then if it continues right after than say 'stop'

Because it eventually turns a simple "sit" into and discussion that the child feels he has control over the outcome. Example"" you need to sit on your bum or you will get hurt". reply" "no I won't". ARe you going to answer "yes, you will!"?

Congrats! You are now arguing with a 2yo, who needed to obey from the get-go. It does NOT get better as they get older. "Please put the milk away, sweetie". The reply "Or what will happen if I don't?".

Short words are for things that are NOT open for a discussion. I dont need a discussion for something that has no negotiation room. AFTER the request is completed, we can have a 10min chit-chat, but not before. The justification/conversation before the action with result in more discussion by the child just to avoid doing whatever it is. BTDT many, many, many times.

[cheerfuldom]

Interesting thing....my husband is a big fan of Ceasar Milan (the dog whisperer) and has had excellent success training our dog. Our 6 month old puppy is AMAZINGINGLY well behaved. I'm not going to lie....we've found some of his techniques work with our kids.

As for the unregistered post....not even going to go into a long reply but I will say that it is 100% more important to me that my kids (all under 4 years old) learn how to obey an instruction whether they understand the reason or not. My job is to keep them safe, first and foremost. If they are able to understand more of an explanation, cool but several of my kids are under 18 months. They aren't capable of long discussions obviously and I am not going to let them run wild while waiting for them to be able to understand the instruction before they have to follow it.

[nannyde]

I think that a child deserves some respect- they should no why they need to do something not just a one word commend IMO
Children are smarter than you think and really they will catch onto this 'commending' way you talk and begin to speak like that to others.
Imagine if you were told, 'Sit' and that is it... Well why should I sit, where should I sit, what will happen if I sit..
Anyway, if it works for you great I just think a child deserves more respect.
What is wrong with saying, " you need to sit on your bum or you will get hurt"
Or in your case, " you need to stop tattling because it is rude." and then if it continues right after than say 'stop'

We aren't talking about the course of general conversations with children. Of course on a normal day when things are going well and everyone is being sweet and the flow is good you say "Come on over here and have a seat Blue Boo".

It's when Blue Boo is doinking around and not listening and taking off the other direction when you say "Boo Sit" and point to the chair.

There's a time and a place for as few words as possible to mark the spot and get the point across. We are talking about THOSE times.

[Cat Herder]

Unregistered, Teaching appropriate behavior for the first time and re-enforcing PREVIOUSLY LEARNED behavior are two different things entirely.

Short commands are used for consistent re-enforcement without having to take time away from the majority during an activity.

Works like a charm and I'd bet you use it without realizing it. ::

[MissAnn]

I think that a child deserves some respect- they should no why they need to do something not just a one word commend IMO
Children are smarter than you think and really they will catch onto this 'commending' way you talk and begin to speak like that to others.
Imagine if you were told, 'Sit' and that is it... Well why should I sit, where should I sit, what will happen if I sit..
Anyway, if it works for you great I just think a child deserves more respect.
What is wrong with saying, " you need to sit on your bum or you will get hurt"
Or in your case, " you need to stop tattling because it is rude." and then if it continues right after than say 'stop'

Kids don't appreciate the extra words. They need guidance.....and a quick "sit" tells them what they need to know. You don't have to say it in a mean voice or be disrespectful in any way. Just......sit.....it get's the point across and life goes on. I'm happy and kid is happy.