An Easy Parenting Tip You Can Implement Today!
One of my favorite parenting tricks is to use “subtle parenting phrases” whenever possible!
This is a term that either my mom came up with or I came up with. But the reason I love “subtle parenting phrases” so much and think they’re so brilliant is because…this strategy is something my mom used, that actually worked on ME when I was a child! 🙂
It sounds so simple and kind of funny when you draw it out and go through an entire explanation, but it is very, very effective and it’s something you can start implementing today! I actually teach about it in my course, The Present Mama Playbook, but I just had to share it here as well.
**Note: click HERE or scroll down to the bottom of this post if you’d prefer to watch this tip in video format!**
Subtle Parenting Phrases
Let’s jump right in. Basically, you have two magic words: “while” and “you’re.” You use them at the start of a sentence that you’re speaking to your child. You’re basically hinting to your child what they should be doing currently, while moving them forward to the next task!
An example: say “While you’re chewing your next bite, why don’t you tell Daddy what your favorite animal was at the zoo today?”
Another example: “While you’re cleaning up those blocks, I’m going to tell you what our family will do after supper tonight!”
It’s such a great parenting hack. You can start using it immediately! I think you’ll find you’re better able to hint to your child what task they should be doing right now, WHILE moving them on to the next thing!
I love this tip because it eliminates the “nag factor,” or telling your children the same thing over and over again. Consider how different these two approaches sound at the dinner table: “I said to take a bite! Keep eating! Take a bite!” versus “While you’re taking a bite, I’ll show you this picture of your new baby cousin!” It also helps your children to become more observant, paying attention to what Mama is saying in a more detailed way, and obeying Mama and following directions well.
It’s a more subtle and positive way to parent. Of course, it’s not how you parent all day long, but it’s a great tool to have in your parenting toolkit! I’d love to hear how it works for you and what you think of this “subtle parenting phrases” approach!
If you’re interested in hearing more tips and strategies, then be sure to watch my free webinar linked below – it’s all about productivity secrets for moms of young children.
You can also join the waitlist for The Present Mama Playbook, my online homemaking and motherhood course!