I was just wondering who people threaten their children with. Not real people like daddy or nanny but characters. If my kids are being naughty I will threaten them with the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and once they hit school age I use Mrs Trunchball and tell them that I will send them to her school if they don't behave. I generally works too.
I was just wondering who everyone else used and if it works for them.
2007-03-30 02:01:26 · 18 answers · asked by willowbee 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I felt I have to respond to all those who are calling me, basically, a bad mother. I have two little ones and two teenagers (one is a step child who has lived with us since she was 4). The eldest is now 16 and she is a very well adjusted young woman who is polite and well behaved. My 13 years old is also very polite (she has her tantrums but what teenager doesn't). I do praise good behaviour and have explain why they shouldn't do certain naughty things. However, when I have worked all day and then come home to 4 kids and have a toddler throwing a tantrum, it is not easy to remember to be "a perfect mother". Telling them that if they draw on the walls the Child Catcher will not be happy is a better alternative to smacking (which I have never done). And I do take away toys etc.
Besides, me and my brothers and sisters all were threatened with the child catcher and all turned out well. Not one of us has ever been in trouble.
2007-03-30 04:58:15 · update #1
My Dad used to threaten me with my Mum lol!! Just one look from her and Id do just what I was told haha xx PS She still tries it now, to me and my hubby, but her hearts not in it haha xx
2007-03-30 02:08:21 · answer #1 · answered by Secret Squirrel 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I have 5 kids from 10 mos. to 17 yrs. What ever works for you is what I will say. I don't threaten the little ones with fictional characters because they will never buy it. My daughter had a great fear of public toilets as a toddler and after explaining the logic of her being too big to fit in the hole, she began to put logic in everything I say.
I was threatened as a child that if I lied, Jesus will come down and cut my toungue which I firmly believed thus never lied. I once tried that with a little one and the reply I got was "God is up in the sky, he can't hitch a ride from an airplane to come out here and you'd have to pick him up at the airport."
2007-03-30 13:10:33 · answer #2 · answered by Georgina 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't threaten them. I tell them what the consequence will be then I follow through if they break the rule again. I also reward them when they are doing good. I want them to learn cause and effect relationships. I don't think there is anything wrong with make believe and imagination, but discipline is a different issue from that.
2007-03-30 09:39:59 · answer #3 · answered by Daybreak 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is awful!!! You don't teach your children to behave out of fear. It is all going to back fire in your face when they are old enough to realize that you were making it all up. What are you going to do when they are 16 years old and miss curfew? Do you really think threats to send them to Mrs Trunchball will work then? You teach your children to behave out of respect for their elders. You teach them that there are rules that everyone must follow. That even grown ups have rules that we must follow. You take away privileges when they miss behave or you set them in time out. Your children need to learn how to control themselves, not fear that they may be hurt if they can't. You praise them for good behavior every time you see it. You tell them how proud you are of them for sitting quietly while you were talking on the phone or while you were waiting in line at the bank. You walk up to them and tell them how well they are playing with their siblings. You occasionally offer a surprise treat such as a trip to the park when they behaved nicely in the grocery store. When they head off to school they will be taught the realities of good behavior and rewards of it, not the fear of some made up creature.
Getting a child to behave out of fear is cruel and it never works in the end!!!!
2007-03-30 09:40:06 · answer #4 · answered by lil_hem_n_va 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't threaten my kids with that, but on occasion, I have let them know that Santa watches all year around. If I threateneed my kids with those types of characters, I'd not get a night's sleep because they would have nightmares. (*My sister used to tell her kids the gypsies would come and take them) I just don't believe in that type of mental warfare.
2007-03-30 09:10:07 · answer #5 · answered by Mickey 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
i don't threaten them with anyone. sounds kind of weird. the most i've done is the tickle monster when we're playing. our kids need to listen to us b/c we say so, not b/c an imaginary character is going to get them.
2007-03-30 09:09:17 · answer #6 · answered by racer 51 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have never threatened my kids with any of those kinds of characters... not that they'd buy it for a minute if I did!
2007-03-30 09:05:50 · answer #7 · answered by RM 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For one, fancy threatening your children. Two, with such stupid characters. How on earth are you to teach your children right from wrong if you continualy make them believe in fantasy? I pitty how your children will grow up. I suppose you told them the tooth fairy is their uncle and santa clause delivers the mail.
2007-03-30 09:11:02 · answer #8 · answered by smc4u73 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I don't threaten my kids with anything but their dad.
2007-03-30 11:50:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
think thats a bit mean! you shouldn't have to scare your children into behaving. you might permanantly scar them. sorry but it's my opinion i think that you should just take their toys away from them because they are undeserving if they missbehave
2007-03-30 09:10:01 · answer #10 · answered by confused 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋