We often tell children what they can’t do, but what if we included what they can do? We can find the yes. “I won’t let you climb on that table. You could climb on the couch if you need to move your body.” If they climb on the table, then it’s your job to hold that boundary, rather than letting them stay on the table. You can help them down and say, “The table is not for climbing. You can climb on the couch.” You might even stay by the table to redirect them to the couch if they try again. They are looking to see where that boundary lives. Will you actually hold the line? Or are they really
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