Despite what it might look like in the moment, your child actually WANTS you to say "no" - particularly when you say it in a firm, but kind, way. "No, I'm sorry sweetheart: no more popsicles today." He wants you to help build the self-control centers in his brain: installing first YOUR voice and then his own. And, your child WANTS you to mean what you say, wants to be able to trust and respect you, wants to feel secure and grounded with you, to be able to rely and depend on you because you don't flip back and forth (you have a solid backbone). He wants all this despite whatever theatrics he pulls to help change your mind. So when you have to say "no," keep in mind that you are doing exactly what you need to be doing for your child, even though he isn't smiling and thanking you right now. He'll thank you later.
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