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Twin Cities Mom Collective

Why Saying Less is Best When it Comes to Your Kids

Moms are often overstimulated by all the noise in the house with persistent questioning or siblings arguing. It can be so hard but sometimes saying less is best and leads to teachable moments that promote independence. 

saying less is best, Close up head shot side view calm happy mixed race mother cuddling little cute daughter, touching foreheads.

Do you ever feel like the teacher in the Peanuts cartoon? You’re talking, but it’s evident that your kids are definitely not listening. It’s not hard to imagine that all they’re hearing is that classic trombone sound of Wah Wa Wa Wah Wa Wa.

Sometimes I feel like a record on repeat, saying the same reminders and reprimands over and over. Pick up your toys. Shut the door all the way. Don’t forget your mask. Please leave each other alone.

All this talking feels a bit fruitless. Somewhere along the line, I’ve fallen into the habit of always responding to my kids’ requests, comments, whines, and questions. Tired of not being heard, I decided to experiment with saying less one day. What an eye-opener! Suddenly I saw so many instances where the best response was none at all.

Toddler whys

My three-year-old’s default response to requests is to ask why. It’s 100% age-appropriate and at times 100% annoying. Not every why question merits a response, especially when she already knows the answer. Instead of getting exasperated with her, I choose not to respond to some of her questions. She’s learned to either try answering the question herself or chooses to move on to the next thing.

WHAT?!

While my daughter loves to ask why my seven-year-old son’s go-to response is what. Usually, this reply is yelled from another room or said distractedly while staring at a screen. Instead of repeating myself, this question is now met with silence. Nine times out of 10, my son can successfully figure out my request based on what he did hear. The rest of the time, he’s learned to ask a clarifying question to get the information he needs.

Sibling bickering

While our kids love to make us their arbitrators, my husband and I try to limit our involvement in their disputes. Instead, we offer conflict resolution tips and instruct them to find a solution on their own. Sometimes it takes all my willpower to ignore the whining and arguing. Still, this patience pays off when I see them find a middle ground successfully.

Reading practice

When listening to my son read out loud, it’s incredibly tempting to jump in when he gets stuck on a word. I’ve learned the value of staying quiet and letting him sound words out on his own. I love seeing his face light up when he figures out a tough word or flawlessly reads a difficult passage.

Thoughtful questions

My kids ask many questions about people, animals, the world, and how things work. Often these are insightful inquiries, and I’m curious to hear their perspective. So instead of answering, I flip the question around and ask, “What do you think?” I love hearing their speculations, opinions, and thought processes as they ponder the answers to their questions.

Conversations with adults

When my kids talk with other adults, I have to fight the urge to translate. What if the adult can’t follow my son’s obscure Pokémon references or decipher my daughter’s toddler speak? I’ve discovered that most of the time they can have a great conversation without my help. By letting the exchange flow naturally, my kids are learning the fine art of being good conversationalists.

Making choices

It can be hard to let my kids make choices on their own, especially when I can foresee potential mistakes. Deep down, I know the importance of letting my kids experience the trial and error of decision-making. Unfortunately, this process sometimes involves experiencing natural consequences, which can be hard to watch. I take solace in the fact that my husband and I can help them learn from their missteps now when the stakes are relatively low.

While I find myself being more aware of opportunities to say less, sometimes it takes all my willpower to stay quiet. Who knew it would be so hard to say nothing? I’m discovering that the less I say, the more my kids hear. Part of being a parent is knowing when to step back and let our kids take the lead. And sometimes, saying less is best.

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