Kids Like Choices
Most kids hate to be told what to do. I find I get a better response from my kids when I give them a choice of things to do. I was thinking about this the other day when I was attempting to persuade my kids to come on a hike with me.
My first mistake was when I asked, "Do you guys want to go on a hike?" Of course their immediate response was, "NO." I always think it sounds better if I ask them to do something rather than tell them to do something. Why do I give them the option to say, "No?"
Even I struggle sometimes with trying to get my kids to go outside. While we don’t have regular television we do have movies, a computer and the Wii which are sometimes more attractive than playing outside.
It is obvious to my kids I value time spent in the great outdoors. It is also very apparent I want them to get exercise. What they may not realize is the importance of Vitamin D. One way for them to get Vitamin D is from the sun and another way is to eat oily fish or liver.
I think the next time I want them to come hiking with me I’ll give them a choice. "Do you want to go on a hike or would you prefer to eat some liver?"