Dear Children,
It doesn’t matter how old, or young, you may be. It is never to early to learn one of the greatest secrets in life.
Do you want your parents to say “Yes” more often? Do you want to have more fun, less yelling and incredulous looks? Read closely and I will tell you all you need to know…
Timing is everything.
That’s right. Timing. It isn’t completing chores (though that does help), it isn’t saying please (though that does help), it isn’t even smiling and asking about your mom’s day (though that would bowl her over) it is all about TIMING.
Some Examples:
You want to have a friend over to play. Your Mom is in the bathroom with the door shut and your Dad is not home. Which would you do?
A. Knock on the door and ask to come in.
B. Open the door and walk right in asking the question and yelling at your sister at the same time.
C. Yell from downstairs and don’t stop yelling until Mom comes to you.
D. Wait for your mom patiently to get out of the bathroom and make her bed while waiting.
You guessed it… D is the answer. Let your mom go to the bathroom alone. She is more likely to say yes to you :) Try it and see.
It is Friday afternoon. School is out for two days and all you want to do it relax and play. You know you have to bring some stuff to school on Monday that you need help from your parent with.
A. You get in the car after school and tell your mom everything you need before saying hello (and while your three sisters are doing the same thing).
B. You decide to wait and tell her on Sunday night at 10pm when you should be in bed asleep already.
C. Monday morning rolls around and your Mom tells you to get into the car for school. After she is buckled and the door is locked you tell her that you need a few things.
D. You get home after school and help your mom get the after school snacks ready while asking her to help you with your projects.
D is it again! Mom’s like help. Mom’s like to have notice. Remember these things and she will say yes more!
Your parents do not want to say no all the time. This may be hard to believe, but most Moms and Dads want to help their children, spend time with them and in general, make them happy. Stress gets in the way of saying yes. If you find out what times are less stressful on your parents, they will say yes more.
Last example:
Your mom is cooking dinner, going through you and your sister’s back packs, packing lunches fo the next day and organizing the next Girl Scout meeting on the phone. Your dad is working on the flower beds and you want to shave your legs for the first time.
A. You got into the kitchen and stand three inches away from your mom and follow her around until she puts down the fun and yells “What do you need?!”
B. You go outside and tell your Dad that Mom is busy and you need to shave, is it okay with him.
C. You see your mom is busy and decide to shave first and ask later. Later then becomes sooner, since you are hemoraging all over the carpet on your way back downstairs to ask Mom where the bandaids are and how much blood can you loose before passing out.
D. You don’t ask and wait until you actually have some hair on your legs to shave.
D is again the best answer! Sorry my dear!
This advice is FREE. Please use it. Frequently.
Sincerely,
Your Mother
