5 Things I Decided Never to Say to My Child....

1. "Because I said so" (What does this teach a young mind? Maybe, that I'm not smart enough to give you an answer or I don't want to take the time to talk to you or I'd rather be self absorbed at the moment)
2. "Don't" (As in don't run, don't scream, don't spit, etc. etc. What were the last words YOU heard? Maybe RUN, SCREAM, SPIT? Hum, wonder why kids don't stop running, or screaming or spitting when this tactic is tried?)
3. "Come here, ONE, TWO, don't let me get to three, THREE." (Okay, you have now just taught your child that you are always willing to wait, wherever you happen to be, long enough to get to number THREE and they are in control. Take a clue from me, say "We're leaving, and then turn around and start walking. That little one will not want to be left in the grocery store and will come following. Save the counting for a great learning experience.)
4. "Wait until your Dad gets home". First of all, if this is a two parent family, this should be a partnership, right? Second, you should both be on the same page, so either one of you should be able to take care of the situation and inform the other later. Don't cop out and leave the problem to the parent that wasn't even present and doesn't REALLY know the details?)
5. "Eat all of your food/clean your plate" (This is a sure fire way to contribute to the obesity phenom! Tasting new foods is one thing but being "forced or asked" to eat everything teaches nothing but resentment and a later inability to leave food on the plate and therefore, overeating.