I was at a campground in Billings, Montana. A mom of two boys, about 10 and 12 years old was telling her kids:
"Stop it. Okay, that's it, get out of the pool."
"Okay, I mean it. That's it. Okay we're done. Get out."
"I mean it you guys, stop blowing snot in the water or we're done."
"Okay, that's it. Out of the pool."
"If you guys don't behave, no ice cream tonight."
"Okay, that's it. Out of the pool. No ice cream."
I sat and watched and listened to this all afternoon. And later that night, there they were, playing mini golf, and EATING ICE CREAM!
Her technique of threats didn't work. That was a good 10 years ago and I'm certain both boys are drug addicts and in prison by now. Okay, maybe not, but I wonder, with such an incompetent parent, how are their lives turning out?
Check out this article from parents.com about some ways to get your kids to actually listen to you. I swear to god if you don't look at this article, we're getting out of the pool and no ice cream!