Blog: How to Deal with the Kid Who Wants One More Treat

Waiting for me when I got home from work today was a plate of cookies. A thoughtful gift from our wonderful neighbors.Of course, all I can think about is the fact that my eldest (5) will be whining for a cookie every moment of everyday until they are gone.

How do I know this? 'Tis the season. It's been going on since Sunday when she went to a cookie-making party and came home with a similar plate, also filled with sugar cookies and sugary frosting.

What to do? (BTW, as I mull this over I am eating a cookie, the irony is not lost on me.)

TRY THIS.... "Boops (one of my many pet names for the eldest), around the holidays we are going to have a lot of treats in the house. This doesn't mean we get to eat cookies/brownies/candy canes all the time because that is not healthy for our bodies. But I know you are going to want to enjoy some of the goodies. So, why don't you choose FIVE (or what ever number you are comfortable with) cookies that look like they are the tastiest (you may want to weed out any offending goodies before hand). And everyday after school (or after lunch, after dinner) you can have one of them until they are gone. I am going to share the rest with friends at work."

NOT THAT.... "Boops, cookies are bad for you so we aren't going to eat any of these."

WHY: Kids thrive when provided with choices. It helps them feel a sense of control over their life. Giving them some well-defined choices helps them feel a sense of power/control over thier own lives, which ultimately, makes them more agreeable.  

Additionally, by providing them with information (too many cookies are unhealthy) you are giving them knowledge that they can file away and recall at a later date when a similar situation might arise.

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