There are some very good reasons he can’t play in the sprinkler: his running around on a slick, wet lawn without someone to make sure he doesn’t fall and hit his head is a big one.
I agree with spano. It is a good example for a parent to listen to their kid’s reasons and, if appropriate, say, “You know, that’s a good argument. Maybe you’re right.” If you have a good reason for saying NO, however, then state the reason and (because kids don’t like to hear the word even when the good reason is given), stick to it.
I agree, spano and cdward. The most important thing is to give your real reason, but you can rethink your decision (learning this from the kids I teach!)
How about if Elly says if you go under the sprinkler I want to watch you but right now I’m busy. If you help me with this then I can take a break and watch you. I’d want to watch because it would bring back memories and it would be fun. She might even join him.
Occasionally rethinking and changing my decision didn’t seem to hurt with my kids. Same with apologizing when I’d over reacted. I think it helped them to realize that, if I kept saying NO, I did mean it. But, every kid is different, too.
Not easy, raising them without inflicting severe bodily harm along the way.
paul jones, I think the bug eyes are more of an, “Oh, gosh, I’ve done it again!” realization.
Mine knew if they did not agree they would say can we talk about this? And we would. there where times they had valid points. And I would change the no to a yes. there was no losing of face. i never said ” because I said so”. and most times when the answer stayed no they understood the why
gmartin997 - in Ontario, it’s typically “Even number houses water on even days, odd number houses water on odd days.”
Every town I’ve lived / visited has had the same regulations.
I agree with several of the previous. Saying “no” without having a good reason makes kids want to rebel. If you have a good reason, but don’t tell them, same thing. If you don’t explain the reasoning behind your decisions, how can you expect your kids to make wise decisions? Nothing wrong with telling your kids “no” - however, if you want them to have the same values you do, you’d better help them understand the “why” behind those values.
HUH?! No way! LOLs! When I was kid, I used to “play in the water sprinkler at back yard outside.” I loved and enjoyed it. Now I think we can’t play in the sprinkler. We have the water restrictions in Reno/Sparks/Carson City and other rural cities/towns in Washoe County because we had the drought in the past and we had to follow the rule with the even and odd numbers on those days for watering the lawns. We cannot water the lawns during the daytime because the hot air/wind in hot weather will vaporize the water fast but we can water in early morning or late evening so the hot air/wind will not vaporize the water. Oh well! I think it must be crazy but think twice about the drought problem so we need to conserve the water storages during the summertime.
Does that make sense to y’all or not???
Have a g’day, mates and lads! :-)
How come no one has addressed the issue that if a kid ever talked back to a parent like that, he is disrespectful of an adult and deserves the consequences. I would have been knocked into next week!
Oh for pity’s sake! It’s a COMIC STRIP!! It is NOT a book on child rearing or a marriage manual! If they didn’t make mistakes, there would be nothing to make a joke about!
Maybe some of you should go read Funky Winkerbean, which gets criticized for being too serious.
ladywolf17 about 15 years ago
And stick with the decision.
ejcapulet about 15 years ago
There are some very good reasons he can’t play in the sprinkler: his running around on a slick, wet lawn without someone to make sure he doesn’t fall and hit his head is a big one.
AliKzam about 15 years ago
Ask dad.
spano about 15 years ago
if you want to teach by example, you have to be able to say i am wrong. No point ion sticking to a stupid decision in a strong-headed manner.
WORDMAN33 about 15 years ago
Because I said so always worked for my mom.
cdward about 15 years ago
I agree with spano. It is a good example for a parent to listen to their kid’s reasons and, if appropriate, say, “You know, that’s a good argument. Maybe you’re right.” If you have a good reason for saying NO, however, then state the reason and (because kids don’t like to hear the word even when the good reason is given), stick to it.
barbhinkins about 15 years ago
I remember running under the sprinkler - kids today don’t get the chance in Melbourne - we’ve got Level 3a water restrictions. bleeep drought!
http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/waterconservation/waterrestrictions/Stage3a_waterrestrictions-questionsandanswers.asp
barbhinkins about 15 years ago
Again with the bleep! I said dar..n
barbhinkins about 15 years ago
honest!
kfaatz925 about 15 years ago
I agree, spano and cdward. The most important thing is to give your real reason, but you can rethink your decision (learning this from the kids I teach!)
alondra about 15 years ago
How about if Elly says if you go under the sprinkler I want to watch you but right now I’m busy. If you help me with this then I can take a break and watch you. I’d want to watch because it would bring back memories and it would be fun. She might even join him.
atajayhawk about 15 years ago
Occasionally rethinking and changing my decision didn’t seem to hurt with my kids. Same with apologizing when I’d over reacted. I think it helped them to realize that, if I kept saying NO, I did mean it. But, every kid is different, too.
Not easy, raising them without inflicting severe bodily harm along the way.
paul jones, I think the bug eyes are more of an, “Oh, gosh, I’ve done it again!” realization.
The_Ol_Goaler about 15 years ago
Three words…
SLIP AND SLIDE!!!! :-)
MermaidStitcher about 15 years ago
Mine knew if they did not agree they would say can we talk about this? And we would. there where times they had valid points. And I would change the no to a yes. there was no losing of face. i never said ” because I said so”. and most times when the answer stayed no they understood the why
Allan CB Premium Member about 15 years ago
gmartin997 - in Ontario, it’s typically “Even number houses water on even days, odd number houses water on odd days.” Every town I’ve lived / visited has had the same regulations.
cleokaya about 15 years ago
Since I live on a lake, I would say, Michael, let’s go for a swim instead.
Smiley Rmom about 15 years ago
I agree with several of the previous. Saying “no” without having a good reason makes kids want to rebel. If you have a good reason, but don’t tell them, same thing. If you don’t explain the reasoning behind your decisions, how can you expect your kids to make wise decisions? Nothing wrong with telling your kids “no” - however, if you want them to have the same values you do, you’d better help them understand the “why” behind those values.
Wildmustang1262 about 15 years ago
HUH?! No way! LOLs! When I was kid, I used to “play in the water sprinkler at back yard outside.” I loved and enjoyed it. Now I think we can’t play in the sprinkler. We have the water restrictions in Reno/Sparks/Carson City and other rural cities/towns in Washoe County because we had the drought in the past and we had to follow the rule with the even and odd numbers on those days for watering the lawns. We cannot water the lawns during the daytime because the hot air/wind in hot weather will vaporize the water fast but we can water in early morning or late evening so the hot air/wind will not vaporize the water. Oh well! I think it must be crazy but think twice about the drought problem so we need to conserve the water storages during the summertime.
Does that make sense to y’all or not??? Have a g’day, mates and lads! :-)
dakabn5 about 15 years ago
I get that attitude sometimes, but let’s not be tyrants people!
summerdog86 about 15 years ago
How come no one has addressed the issue that if a kid ever talked back to a parent like that, he is disrespectful of an adult and deserves the consequences. I would have been knocked into next week!
jerzy about 15 years ago
Oh for pity’s sake! It’s a COMIC STRIP!! It is NOT a book on child rearing or a marriage manual! If they didn’t make mistakes, there would be nothing to make a joke about!
Maybe some of you should go read Funky Winkerbean, which gets criticized for being too serious.