Comments on: Giving Your Kids Choices

By: Eggs v. Yogurt OR Apple v. Orange: Redefining Choice for Kids | breakfastthink

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:45:29 +0000

[...] Make and Takes, a blog for parents that’s easily applied to school foodservice, suggests creating directed choices: rather than “pancakes with syrup vs. yogurt parfait,” instead, “honey yogurt with fruit vs. plain yogurt with raisin granola.” It exalts the fact that exceptionally nutritious items do not have to be fancy or cooked or complicated, just hearty and filling and natural. Offering ample choice within tighter boundaries sets children up for success. This redefined simplicity can also reduce costs. [...]

By: Marie

Marie — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:16:25 +0000

I haven’t read Love and Logic yet, but have wanted to for sometime. I guess I need to!! Thanks to some of you for the suggestion.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:11:23 +0000

sounds like “Love and Logic” to me… which I LOVE and practice all the time!

By: oh amanda

oh amanda — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:00:38 +0000

Such a great idea, Marie! I was just reading something about how we give kids too many choices or the wrong choices (leading to kids thinking they know as much/more than parents). This is the perfect example of letting them choose AND still being the parent! Love it!

By: The Activity Mom

The Activity Mom — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:05:17 +0000

I love that book (Love and Logic) too! The choices are great. When my 30 month whines about the choices I say it’s that or nothing. He usually chooses one of the choices instead of nothing. My friend’s daughter on the other hand chooses nothing a lot and she has to be ok with that.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:37:19 +0000

The third choice, the “I don’t want EITHER of those choices!” is the one that is picked most often, most vocally and most annoyingly. I’ve read so many articles that suggest giving choices but what to do when they don’t pick from the choices offered? I end up doing the same as you and offering a choice of what I”ve offered or a time out. For some reason that seems to do the trick :S

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:08:06 +0000

Have you read “Parenting With Love & Logic,” by chance? I’m right in the middle of it right now and it presents this same concept…which I think is brilliant!

By: Rebecca is Thrilled by the Thought

Rebecca is Thrilled by the Thought — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:08:26 +0000

This works aMAZingly well. Even with my 20 month old! I watched my sis-in-law do this with her son 8 years ago, and told myself I better remember that technique for when I have kids!