Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility

by Foster W. Cline

parents can set themselves up to be winners as authority figures by using some of the following “Thinking Word Requests” instead of “Fighting Word Demands”: FIGHTING WORD DEMAND: “Take out the trash, and do it now!” THINKING WORD REQUEST: “I’d appreciate your taking out the trash before bedtime. Thanks.” FIGHTING WORD DEMAND: “Don’t you talk to me that way! You go to your room!” THINKING WORD REQUEST: “Would you mind taking those words to your room? Thank you.” FIGHTING WORD DEMAND: “You come here right now!” THINKING WORD REQUEST: “Hey, would you mind coming here? Thank you.” FIGHTING WORD DEMAND: “Go help your little sister. Do it now. I mean it!” THINKING WORD REQUEST: “Would you mind helping your sister now? I’d appreciate it.”