22 Ways to Avoid Saying “NO” to Kids

We all know there are times when we must say no, especially when a child is in danger.

But children tend to tune the word out if it is overused.

We suggest you save this two-letter word for when you really need it, when your child really needs to pay attention and react quickly. For other occasions, I think you will enjoy getting familiar with different phrases that will soon become second nature to you.

Children appreciate explanations. I predict you will enjoy communicating in a more meaningful manner, too.  

Practice using responses like these, below:

1. 1. This isn’t helpful, I’d like you to stop.
   2. Maybe you can do that some other time.
   3. Here, let me show you how you could do it.
   4. That’s not what we had talked about doing, remember?
   5. I know you want to do that but it is dangerous.
   6. I need you to come away from there right now.
   7. Let’s try doing something else instead.
   8. Tell me what our rule is about this.
   9. This is not a good idea. Can you tell me why?
   10. I understand you would like to, but we can’t do that now.
   11. I agree it would be fun, but it’s not a good idea because…
   12. Is there another way to go about doing that?
   13. We don’t have time for this right now.
   14. What you are doing is hurting him/her. You need to stop.
   15. That is not in our budget. We can’t get it.
   16. Let’s stop and think about this.
   17. You know better than to do that.
   18. Why is this important to you?
   19. I’m disappointed to see you doing that (or. . . to learn you did that).
   20. If you want to buy that, you can use your allowance.
   21. Yes, that’s one answer, but try again.
   22. We can’t stay longer, we talked about this.

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