Reverse psychology: The application of an inverted suggestion that would compel a person in a ‘contrary’ state, to perform a desired task.
Apparently I’ve been seen through, figured out, realized, analyzed and deciphered. I’ve used it too much in my parenting of a 2 year old girl who is too smart, beyond her years.
Photo By: Keeping It RealWe’re still in the middle of Bottle Wars; it seems they won’t end… I’m still not strong enough. One more event (her toe surgery), one more instance of it would be a bad time to break her of this habit and she’s done for, I’ll take it away. Until then, I’m completely over the sleeplessness due to the need for her fix; the need for another “fill” of water in the bottle.
We see her too many times a night. We’re unable to shut out the whaling, the incessant crying, the throat scratching screaming pleas for “More Water Please”. Maybe we could possibly ignore this; we could be strong, if it weren’t for the part that we can’t ignore. The naked 2 year old holding her jammies and a diaper begging for assistance to be put back together for bed. No, you can’t ignore that.
It would seem that since she is day potty trained and doesn’t like to have a “dirty” diaper that every time her diaper gets dirty, she strips herself and needs a new one. This would be fine with pull ups except that she is addicted to footed jammies (water, bottle, jammies – it seems we have an addict of sorts on our hands).
Sigh. I go up the stairs, again.
“No more water, Violet. The water is making you pee a lot and that’s keeping you awake. No more. You can have your bottle, but with no more water.”
Her face contorts, the unbearable cry follows.
“Sorry. No more water.” (I’m being strong with a look of steadfast determination that I’m purposefully bearing down upon her). “Do you want me to take your bottle, or do you want your bottle – with no water?” (My reverse psychology effort…well, actually, I didn’t care which resulted).
She considers this. Looking at me from the side, slowing down her cry; I can see her calculating her response.
“You take it.”
“You want me to take it?”
“Yeeeaaaaaahhhhh.” She hands it to me. (Her reverse psychology effort).
“Okay, get into bed” (she hesitates).
“Nooooo”, she whines.
I felt for her. I was stronger in that moment (yes!) and she realized her efforts backfired. “Do you want me to have your bottle, or do you want it?”
“I want it.”
Yep. Her reverse psychology efforts backfired. I’m sure next time, she’ll calculate more precisely. I’m going to be in trouble!
Jannie Funster (5)
Michele t. (3)
Secret Mom Thoughts (3)
Accidental Expert (2)
Lisa (2)
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh boy!!!!
Parenting Zoo~ Yeah. You’re telling me!
You have an uncanny ability for getting inside the mind of kids. Maybe you can come over to the blog and do a little armchair psychology on Sabrina, who is another piece of work!
Ellen~ Ha-ha. I’ll be right over.
Ahh, the olde reverse psychology foiled agin. Hey she will give it up sometime — they all do, have never seen a kid at kindergarden with a bottle in their lunch instead of a juicepak.
And that photo is freaking HILARIOUS!!! Where did you get it?
Sorry, but this had me laughing out loud. Yup,they never try the same tactic twice – which keeps us parents on our toes.
Jannie~ I can’t look at that photo without laughing. The link to “Keeping it Real” shows other pictures like this one. I’m sure to use more!
Talon~ Actually, it is quite funny. Thank you for your email to me. You and Jannie are right, she will grow out of it eventually. If not, her husband’s going to have a heck of a time breaking her of that habit! LOL.
Oh gosh…I remember the days. I’d put an extra bottle, a pull up and some extra footed pjs (in her room) and tell her to change it herself when she wakes up and don’t wake up mommy!!!!
hence the reason I am :
Elle~ Oh yes. She will get out new jammies if needed…but she still claims to need our help…. we have some work to do.