6 Products That Encourage Kids to Cooperate with Parents
Through out the generations parents have believed, “If my child would just do as I say then we wouldn’t have to argue, fuss, or fight.” But your child’s lack of cooperation is only 50% of the story. The other 50% is yours: the way you’re encouraging your child to do the things you need her to do. Being too demanding creates rebellion and power struggle. Using threats creates fear, which only leads to more fear.
Some common situations that lead to parent-child power struggles are insisting that your child brush her teeth for two minutes only to see her ignore you and chew on the toothbrush, or demanding that he eat his veggies, which makes him throw a fuss so he doesn’t have to. Or the anxiety you have when your child needs a shot and cries as you walk into the doctor’s office.
Here are some wonderful products that will allow your child some independence in situations like these, so that you don’t have to go through awful power struggles to accomplish these simple, everyday tasks.
6 Products That Make Parenting Easier
1. Twooth Timer
Getting a child to brush his teeth for two full minutes can turn into a power struggle. Parents watch as their child puts the toothbrush in their mouth, clamp down like a vice grip, and suck on the brush instead of brushing. Instead of having a power struggle try letting your child set this cute timer.
Helpful Product: “Twooth® Timer is a friendly looking two-minute tooth brushing timer designed to make dental hygiene a fun habit for kids and reduce stress for parents.”
2. Buzzy for Shots
I think most parents have experienced a power struggle at the pediatrician’s office on shot day. The child begins to panic and cry begging not to get shot. This product works really well and can really help a child relax on shot day.
Helpful Product: Enter Buzzy, a unique and helpful way to “change the doctor visit drama from “Do I have to get a shot?” to “Did you bring Buzzy?” “Buzzy is an over the counter combination of cold and vibration that desensitizes the skin to shots.”
3. Parking Pal Magnet
How many times have you had to chase your kids in stores and parking lots? The kids think it’s fun to run away, but mom and dad get increasingly agitated until they begin threatening, yelling or punishing.
Helpful Product: What if you had a large fun magnet that could be placed anywhere? Place ParkingPalMagnet on your car so your kids can touch it and remain close to you, or stick it to anything metal at the counter while paying for purchases. It’s a clever and simple way to make outings a little bit easier.
4. AVA the Elephant
You’re child is sick and needs medicine, again. You know you’ll have to struggle, plead, and bribe in order for her to take the medicine she needs to get well.
Helpful Product: AVA the Elephant® is a clever talking toy that helps take the anxiety out of administering medicine to children three months and older. Ava says, “One, Two, Three…Open wide! Good Job!”
5. SwimZip
We’re all supposed to wear sunscreen, even the kids. Remembering to apply and reapply sunscreen doesn’t always happen and a power struggle can ensue while a child squiggles to get away as you apply it.
Helpful Product: SwimZip is stylish UV 50+ swimwear for babies, toddlers, and children. It’s uniquely designed for an easy-on, easy-off UV protection through the use of a full-length zipper down the front. SwimZip blocks 99% of the harmful cancer causing rays, too.
6. The Human Body Detectives
We all know that getting your child to sleep and eat can easily create a power struggle, enough said!
Helpful Product: The Human Body Detectives is a series of books highlighting a girl’s adventure through the different body systems so she is more apt to make healthy food choices.
All of these products are made by moms who face the same struggles you do. They empower kids and help parents reduce reactions and power struggles when they have to do something in order to keep their child safe and healthy. Just thought you’d want to know!
Sharon Silver is the author of Stop Reacting and Start Responding and The Authentic Parent Series. Go to proactiveparenting.net to download two free chapters from her book and learn about other Proactive Parenting programs. Find Sharon on Twitter and Facebook.