Jack has it down. We tell him it’s time to put on his shoes and this is the conversation:
Me: Jack, please put on your shoes now.
Jack: Weeellll (you gotta drag out the “well”)… I need to drive my car first.
Me: No, Jack. We need to go in the van. You need to put your shoes on now or you’ll have a time out. (Sounds strict, but he’s gotta know I’m serious or this will go on for 15 minutes)
Jack: Are you kidding me!?!
Me: Nope. Put your shoes on.
Jack: (dawdle, dawdle, dawdle, inches towards the door where his shoes are…)
Me: Do you want your sandals or your shoes?
Jack: (looks at the ceiling, won’t make eye contact)
Me: Jack!
Jack: huh?! (comes back in focus)
Me: Do you want your sandals or your shoes?
Jack: Sandals! (It’s always sandals. Even with socks. – see pic)
Me: Ok, put them on.
Jack (sits down, picks up his left sandal and begins putting it on his right foot): Are these the wrong feet?
Me: Yes!
Jack: Doh! (enter crazy giggle as he puts on his sandals correctly and we can finally go out the door – which might take another ten minutes, but that’s another story)
End Scene
This scene, exactly. Our house. 7 times a day. Every day. Nothing slows down a toddler like an agenda!
Can I “like” your response? Sometimes I think he has ADD. Then I remember he’s 3.5.