I find myself repeating the same phrases over & over again with my kiddos (as I'm sure is the case with many of you). Here's what's currently on the playlist at our house: "Use your words please." "I'm sorry, I can't understand you. Please use your big girl voice." "That looks like the potty dance - listen to your body. Does it need to pee?" "Be cool & think." "Mommy's counting to ten so that she doesn't yell." "Hold on one minute, then you can have a turn." How about you?
I need your cooperation. Please stop and think. Get that out of your mouth (seriously when will they stop putting things in their mouths?!) Patience. What am I asking you? (when they are not listening or responding)
Lord, love a duck (when they aren't listening) Does Mommy speak English (when they aren't listening) Wait until (fill in the blank here) is done talking, then it's your turn. Put that thought on pause (conversation interrupting) Use your big girl/big boy voice Use your words, please.
Since I have kids that range from almost 14 to almost 3, I say a large variety of things. From "Seriously? you're having drama about XYZ?" or "If you'd been doing what you were told, you wouldn't be hurt right now." to "Yay! You pooped in the potty!" Add homeschooling to the mix, and there's a lot of "Find your handwriting book" "Why isn't it on the school shelf where it belongs?" and "Doesn't the sunshine look enticing? Get your math done and stop harassing your sister so you can actually enjoy it!" Spencer (this age group) mostly gets, "Sorry, I don't understand screaming," "We do NOT throw things in the house," "Please stop scraping your cars on the wall," "You must need a nap, because you're crying about XYZ," and "Run, hurry in the bathroom!" (when he's doing a potty dance).
10 yr old ~ Stop yelling at the little kids. If you bring your stuff out here, they WILL get into it. If you want to keep it from them, keep it in your room. Please go do your homework!! (usually in an exasperated tone of voice) 5yr old ~ The twins are 3, they don't understand yet, please stop yelling at them. Just because the 3 yr olds do it, doesn't mean you can too. Stop fighting with the little kids. No you can't play DS, Wii or any other electronic gadget all.day.long! 3yr olds ~ We have to take turns. 5 more minutes until it's time to go inside. Stay with mommy, don't run away in the parking lot/store/post office...etc. Don't you want to be a big kid and wear big kid undies like Sean and Kaelyn?? You need to go in the potty! You need to tell me when you have to go poopy! etc........
"i don't know where your (insert name of toy here) is... i don't play with your toys!" "clean up this mess, please." "get your toes out of your mouth" (no joke) "were you listening? what did i just say?" "do you understand?" "i'm sorry, i don't understand whining." "mommy needs a time out." "i have to go to the potty, please give me privacy!"
to graphic to post! Just kidding! Mommy's having private time You can play with your brother, that's what he's there for Samuel, Samuel, Samuel, Samuel, Samuel Benjamin, Benjamin, Benjamin, Benjamin Get in your bed Stop it Get in your seat I think I need a tape recorder!
If you are going to scream/throw a fit, go upstairs because no one wants to her it. I am not very happy about ________. (know I have been saying this a lot because they now say it to each other) If you can't play nice together, go play in different rooms. Be nice to Lennon, he's such a good big brother to you (which he is! So patient, I don't know how he does it!). 10 minute until we have to go inside, 5 minutes, 2 minutes, etc. We can't do/go ___________, until you guys have finished cleaning your toys. You are too big for mommy to carry up the stairs, come hold my hand.
When whining "I don't understand you" when being mean "I don't like to hear you say those words" so many times a day "I am getting frustrated" when they don't use their manners "what do you say first" and other common ones: Stay sitting at the table Use your utensils Put your clothes on Use your gentle hands
"Out of the mouth!" (yes, still, at age 6 -- Sarah chews on her hair and Amy still mouths things) "Sit your bottom down." "Words, please!" (Sarah has a tendency to grunt/whine incoherently) "I'm asking you a question, can you answer me please?" "It is not my job to keep track of that." "You can bite your toenails in your room, not in front of other people." "Please just stay away from each other for a while." "Look at my hands. Are my hands busy doing something else right now?" "Look -- my mouth is moving. I'm speaking." (for interrupting) "Sarah/Amy, wait a minute -- Amy/Sarah was already talking!" "I need a hug." Forgot one: "I am in.the.bathroom. No, I will not unlock the door."
I am killing myself laughing here! I use most of these, or variations on them, every single day! I must sound like a robot by now!! :lol:
My little one mimics me. So whatever I say at times, he will parrot back to me at a different time. Some things he says is: Listen to me. I'm saying _______. It's hilarious to hear my words come out of my peanut! I don't cuss so that is a huge :whew: !
These are the ones I say most often: "No, it's not your turn today. It's your sister's turn." "No, it's not your turn today. It's your brother's turn." "No, you cannot watch that show for the third time." "Please use the big potty." "Stop [hitting/kicking/pushing/screaming at} your [brother/sister}." "Please sit down." "Are you okay?" "Please get in bed. Remember you do not get out of bed unless you have to potty or you're sick." "Please say that again in a [nice/big boy/big girl] voice." "No dessert unless you eat one bite of [...]." "This is your last warning." "One...two...three!" And just so it's not all negative, every night: "Night night. I love you. Sweet dreams."
"Look at me!" (when they aren't listening and I need to establish eye contact to get through) "Be kind and loving" "Say sorry and give your sister/brother a hug" "Get down!" "Sit down!" "Where did you get that?!" (The "that" can be anything...wallet, cell phone, lady razor, wine glass, lipstick, etc)
Sit on your bottom. Do you need a time out? If you can't play nicely together, you'll have to play apart. (this is the worst punishment for them) Stop with the silly at the table. (meal time silliness drives me NUTS!)
Keep your tongue in your mouth! (Anna is constantly licking around her face, and it's chapped, and it's disgusting and drives me crazy!) Don't talk with food in your mouth. (Anna) Get your feet off the table! Sit up in your chair. Eat your food. Stay in your room. Don't make me count! / One, two, three. I can't understand you when you talk like that. Stop fighting.
These are hilarious! Here are some of mine... "You must eat ___ bites before you can be finished." "No, I won't carry you, you're a big girl now." "We're not doing ___ until we clean this room." "No, daddy's not coming home today" (he works out of town during the week). "If you don't do as I ask, you're not going to get ___" "Talon is not hurting you" (when they're screaming about the dog - I must say this 100 times a day!) "You do not need me to turn on the light for you, you can do it yourself" "One...two...three!" "Mommy's busy right now" "Can you help mommy with ____?" And at night time "Sweet dreams, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite"
"Go to time out or you get a spankin" "One Two THREE!" "Give me a minute" "Give me a minute" "Give me a minute" "Give me a minute" "Your bigger than Hannah" "Please stop saying poop and/or pee at the table" "We don't hit/kick/scream/spit" "stop whining" "because your not the mommy, I am" "Because thats why" "Because thats why" "Because thats why" "Because thats why" "Because thats why" "Because thats why" "Because thats why" "Because thats why"----this why phase is gonna kill me!!!! "I love you" "Your so smart" "Good night, I love you, see you when your light turns green!"
