You’ve heard the reasons for offering children two choices. You may have even heard that making both the choices positive will motivate children to be more cooperation when they’ve drifted into resistance.  It all makes sense. And it can be quite simple or very difficult depending on the child’s willingness to shift gears and get on board. 

Perhaps there is an even more important message in the offering of positive choices.  Children learn that they have the power to impact their experiences.  What works, what doesn’t work becomes an investigative piece that helps your child see the cause and effect of simple choices like, “Do you choose to wear short pants or long pants today?  You chose long pants.”  Then, should it be a hot day, your child begins to see that making choices may require the need to obtain additional information in order to choose wisely.  If there’s a complaint about being hot all day then the next day you might add, “Before you choose, would you like to know what the weather will be like today?” (Although in Cleveland, that information is not guaranteed!) Over time we offer more in giving choices than just personal preference like, “Do you want the red shirt or the blue shirt?”  We offer an opportunity to see choices as a way to build a responsible, thoughtful way of life.