6/2/11

Cross Your Arms

Here's a little trick I learned from my mom, who most likely learned from her mom, Josephine, mother of nine.

It's the "cross your arms" trick.

When you have a child who needs to be told something important, or reprimanded, especially one under say about 7, you have them cross their arms.  It does a couple things:

-It makes them look at you and concentrate on what you are saying.
-It makes their mood, somehow-I don't know how- change.  Usually they get a little giggly.
-It makes them look really really cute, which makes you really really less angry.

I've been doing this for years and it works wonders.


The other day, I was trying to get Andrew not to scream whenever his brother teased him.  So I made him cross his arms and said, "Repeat after me.  I, Andrew, will not scream bloody murder whenever my brother Matt teases me. I will go and get Mom instead, and she will help me."

He said, "Ok, Mom, I have one for you.  Cross your arms and repeat after me.  I, Mom, will buy her children a brand new X-Box 360."

(I said it, but inserted NOT of course.)

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12 comments:

  1. ShawniJune 2, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    Now THAT is an awesome trick. I'm totally using that one. That cute Patrick helps to convince me that it will work :)

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  2. Jennifer June 2, 2011 at 4:20 AM

    Too funny and I love the picture!

    By the way, I have been meaning to thank you for your wonderful tutorial on how to make a blog header using Picasa. It was so helpful in creating my new blog header. You rock girlfriend! Love your blog and many thanks! :-)
    ~jennifer

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  3. PamelaJune 2, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    clever idea :)

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  4. Brian and StaciJune 2, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    We do a version of this...they have to close their hands (kind of like they are praying)...but I must say...the crossing the arms does look a little cuter ;)

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  5. SarahJune 2, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    He is beyond adorable.

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  6. WendyJune 2, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    Patrick is way too cute! and thanks for the tip, going to add that to my bag of tricks!

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  7. SZMJune 2, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Oh I love this! I wonder if it will work on a 16 + 14 year old?

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  8. EmilyJune 2, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    I love this! I usually say: "look at my eyes" but to get their arms still is way better!

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  9. AnonymousJune 2, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    I am going to have try this...

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  10. AlissaJune 4, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    I started trying this out this week with my very soon to be three year old son. TOTALLY works, he actually LOOKS at me while I'm talking to him! Thank You!

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  11. AnonymousJune 18, 2011 at 4:52 AM

    Too cut picture. my cousin has resemblance with Patrick.
    College Papers

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  12. AmandaDJandFletcherDecember 13, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    Love this post and will definately do this. Your blog is inspiring! I hope I can be such a positive force in my child's life.

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