S., who usually loves to help, does not want to help clean up today. Instead she follows me from room to room chattering away as I clean up.
I’m almost done, when she dumps a pail of small plastic toys on the floor, and then walks away and starts playing with a ball.
Me- S. please come and pick up the toys you just dumped on the floor.
S.- no response
Me- S. did you hear me ? I want you to come and pick these toys up if you aren’t going to play with them.
S.- no response
So I walk over and gently take the ball from S., get down to her eye level and say- I will give your ball back as soon as you help me to pick up the big mess you just made.
S.-BIG Sigh- as she walks over and slowly starts picking up the toys.
S.- You know Lisa, you were just using a very bossy voice when you were talking to me.
Me- I’m sorry if that’s true S., but you were ignoring me…
S.- BIG Sigh- and then OK Lisa.
Me- OK S., thanks for helping.
S. is 2 years and 9 months old.
Moral of the story ? You tell me!