Love
& Logicisms Archives
Arguing Antidotes
for Children
STEP ONE: GO BRAIN
DEAD
| Remember: |
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There
is nothing wrong with a kid that a little
reasoning won't make worse. |
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| Never: |
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Never
attempt to reason with the child. Don't
attempt to explain your position. Logic
does not work in these situations because the
child is playing by a different set of rules
than you are. He/she is not interested in
facts and logic. He/she is interested in
seeing you give up. |
STEP TWO: CHOOSE A
LOVE AND LOGIC® "ONE LINER" ANTIDOTE:
| Choose
From: |
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"I
love you too much to argue."
"I bet it feels that way."
"I know."
"How sad."
"Nice try."
"Thanks for noticing that."
"I'll love you wherever you live."
"What a bummer."
"Could be." |
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STEP THREE: DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO THINK
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Become
a broken record, saying the same antidote for
each new argument the youngster comes up with
. Keep your voice soft. Allow any
frustration to be that of the child, not of you. |
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STEP FOUR: IF THE
CHILD CONTINUES TO ARGUE
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For
some very strong willed or manipulative
children, it is effective to say, "I argue
at 12:15 or 3:15 daily. What would be best
for you?" And then play broken record
with this question. Don't give into the
temptation to match wits with a child. |
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© Jim Fay, Cline/Fay
Institute, 2207 Jackson Street, Golden, CO
80401. Taken from: Fay,
Jim & Foster W. Cline, M.D. The Pearls of Love
and Logic for Parents and Teachers. Golden, CO:
Love and Logic Press, 2000.
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