Parents have a hard time saying no to their children because they want their child to be happy and to have positive experiences. They are concerned that if they say no, it will lead to unhappiness, defiance, a lack of creativity and a decreased sense of self-esteem in their child. Today, more than ever, it is important for parents to be comfortable with saying “no” to their children. Saying no without frustration/anger and following through with what you say let’s a child know that you care about them and that you want them to be safe. In other words, saying no is a good thing.
Here are five additional reasons why saying no to your child can be a good thing:
- Children want you to say no. They actually like structure and limit setting by parents and typically respond better to parents that can provide consistency and who hold them accountable for their actions.
- Saying “no” provides teachable moments. It allows your child to learn that they cannot always have what they want.
- It teaches children to delay gratification and to learn how to be patient.
- It teaches them to learn how to handle disappointment and helps them to learn how to work through disappointment through problem solving other solutions.
- It also teaches them how to respect their parents and other adults, as well as allows them to prepare for being in the “real world.”
Need help getting your child’s behavior under control? Click here to read a blog on 1-2-3 Magic Behavioral principles!
