Reverse psychology and 2 year old - conflicted

[insahmniak]

Saying, "Oh, NOOOOHH! You'd better not do that!" in my silliest voice is a SUREFIRE way to get my daughter to do some things. So, it "works" in that sense. Example: I'd better not hear ANY scrubbing sounds from that toothbrush! Wow. She's never brushed so thoroughly before! And of course she was laughing the whole time.

On the one hand, this seems to be what I'm looking for. It seems like a playful way to get her to do some stuff that I'm hoping we can get done.

On the other hand, it's totally manipulative.

I haven't been doing very much and for very long, but it's so effective that I can see it becoming a real habit after a while, and like I said there's something about it that doesn't sit quite right with me. Can anyone help me articulate this? Would this be considered coercive by TCS definition?

[Fuamami]

On the other hand, it's totally manipulative.


Really? It doesn't seem manipulative to me. She's in on the joke, right? You're both playing, she's playing that she's ignoring you and doing what you don't want her to, and you're playing like you don't want her to brush her teeth. I think it sounds great.

[**guest**]

i see it as more playful than manipulative.

i also found that the moment i 'figure it out' it changes, especially when they are 2 -- don't be surprised if this game won' t work for long.

we had a game going when dd was 2: i closed my eyes, and she would do something, like brush her teeth. worked for only 4 days, but worked like magic :LOL

[Vermillion]

don't be surprised if this game won' t work for long.


:nod

Yup, I once tried this with my DS and he figured it out pretty fast. He is smarter than I am! :LOL I can’t fool him at all.