However, when it comes to communicating with children, you have to be prepared for anything. For the most part, what you think is going to happen doesn’t, but something else always will.

Even though I don’t consider myself a saleperson, that’s exactly what I do as a parent. I have to sell the idea to the point of the kids at least hearing me out.

Sounds crazy? YES!! But oh, so true!

Moms, you are responsible for the greatest sales show ever. And I must say you are underpaid. LOL 🙂

Regardless, if you are trying to “reason” with your child, good luck! It just doesn’t happen as often as we’d like. Instead, you’re trying to convince them (sell them) on the idea that you know what’s best for them.

And of course, you know!

This is not any easy job; one we didn’t sign up for but are required to handle.

So get your hands a little dirty and market your ideas as if they were the children’s ideas.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Market your ideas as if they are the children’s ideas!

Life would be so much easier if we had a manual for everything, but then life would not be an adventure.

And that’s exactly how I want you to see your communication with your children; an adventure into the wild.

You never know what they’ll say, but you always know they shoot it straight. No filters are allowed on their part.

However, that’s not how it works for us. When you go to market your ideas to your children, you have to always hear the yes in the no.

1. FRAME IT as their idea. Whatever you want your child to understand or do, make it their idea. Use your words to solidify what you want for them, but they see it and understand it first.
2. WRAP IT in what matters to them. Think of it as sushi for your child. Sushi isn’t sushi without rice, seaweed, and fresh fish. You wouldn’t get just any sushi. You get what you want. So give that to your child in a way that stimulates their mind that they’re getting what matters to them.
3. STICK IT when it counts. We can battle our kids all day long. Fighting, arguing, or complaining does not get the result you want. So be consistent and stick it when it counts. Yea — You might have to be a little forceful in your tone of voice or your expectations of actions. But don’t you want to give your child the gift of life? You gotta stick it when it counts.

And I must say, when they back talk you, don’t continually pick a fight. Let the rough waters calm so you can have a productive discussion and not a yelling match in the middle of the sea.

CHALLENGE: As a parent, you have to pick your battles carefully. So what is ONE thing that your child needs to understand during this season? Focus on that. Don’t allow yourself to get distracted by all the other things that should fall into place, but are a mess too.

CAUTION: And be very careful with your own heart. Yes! This is where you have to be secure in what you are doing as a parent. Because you’re human too, and your feelings get hurt. So just know that this too shall pass.

CELEBRATE: When you do win a battle, go quietly to the bathroom to celebrate your win. That might be the only private space you have left in your house as a mom or dad.

Kids are great, but they take a lot of work and require consistency. Love unconditionally, knowing that you are blessing them for the long run. This is your long-term investment.

Always hear the yes in the no and help them.

“Master today to impact tomorrow!” ~ Kristianne Wargo

“Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!“