As a mum, I am constantly being reminded how words also form a large part of how we parent. Just think about it; what words you use and how you use them really has a huge impact and can make or break both how you handle any situation with your children – and what they then take from it.
Interestingly, the
ran a competition to find the best parenting advice in six words. Needless to say some of the entries were nothing short of hilarious:
Jessica: "We do not negotiate with terrorists."
Judy: "Pay attention, but not too much."
Jen: "Today’s crisis is tomorrow’s funny story."
“Never, ever refuse a breath mint.” – Lemony Snicket
“You learn more from your failures.” – Piper Kerman
“Does it need to be said?” – Julianne Moore
“Be a doer, not a dreamer” – Shonda Rimes
“Sometimes on low, sometimes on high.” – Mario Batali
"Can't say something nice? Try fiction." – David Baldacci
However, one mum has just topped them all with her brilliant (although controversial) response.
that her advice is controversial, and definitely a last resort, but we've all been here (or at least, somewhere pretty darn close ... ).
Writing in the paper, Candy talks about the experience of walking into a parents evening and forgetting the name of her 11-year-old's form teacher. She writes:
"I am not making excuses here, but when you have four children at school and you're catching up on a decade of sleepless nights you tend to forget a lot of things: your keys, PIN number and the reason you've walked into a particular room."
So, in a panic, she calls her 13-year-old daughter, and this is how the conversation goes:
Me: 'Quick, Sky, you have to tell me Gracie's teacher's name now.'
Sky: 'No.'
Me: 'What? Come on, what's her name? I am running out of time.'
Sky: 'This really is the sort of thing you should know, Mum.'
Me: 'I will give you one pound.'
Sky: 'Miss Knowles.'
So these are the six magic words, says Candy, that will always get your child to behave: "I will give you one pound".
There are some catches, of course, the mum-of-four admits: "This will work between the ages of three and 13. Before that age, just offer chocolate, and if they're older, it may have to be a fiver."
Candy admits this is naturally a last-minute resort trick, reminding readers: "Keep this dodgy mum tip in your back pocket for when the clock is ticking and you've tried everything else."
