Bribery for Behavior Part One: The Case for Sweets

Kids are persistent in their volume. They can rival banshees with their shrieks, especially when they want something. What's more, they don't simply shut up about it because you tell them to. 

Why allow your eardrums to be assaulted and let your small human embarrass you with a full tantrum display? There's no reason to. 

I'm not saying give into their every want and need. That would spoil them. I'm saying be smarter than the child and have back up plans. Namely, sweets. 

Sweets are a child's downfall. They crave them, they dream of them and they will do absolutely anything for them. Including behave. 

I can hear you parents in the back. "Isn't that just teaching them to cry so they'll get a treat?" 

That, my dear humans, is the point. 

Face it, we can't control when our mini people cry, but we can have control over how long it lasts and, with enough time, why they cry. 

How is this different than just giving them what they want in the first place?

It's simple. By giving them what they want, you are caving to their demands. That makes you weak and easily controllable in their eyes. You do not want that. If you instead give them something else that they value instead (i.e. sweets), then you still win because the little dictator has finally shut up and you did not give in.

Think of it this way. Have you ever given a dog a treat? You know how they get perfectly still and completely focused on the treat right before you toss it at them? That is how your child will react to the sweet you give them regardless of how much of a fuss they were kicking up. 

Banshee wails and temper tantrums are a thing of the past as long as the sweets hold out. 

Remember; candy is for winners!

Azra

***Disclaimer***Azra has been around children for centuries. While not having any of his own, part of being an exiled angel means blending in on earth. As he traveled the globe, he picked up on a lot of parenting practices across the globe. This blog is meant to share his parenting wisdom with a new generation. And to win a bet.

*Note: any advice given is meant to be satirical and not to be taken literally. Please do not exercise it upon any living being, child or otherwise.*