The biggest way we work at coaching our children in what to do is through role playing. We play out or talk through scenarios we know our children will encounter, so they can respond confidently in doing what is right. We are especially keen on this because we know we cannot expect anything in public that isn’t demanded at home. For example if I want our children to obey authorities I will ask them a s series of questions. “How would you respond if Mommy said, ‘Please don’t jump on the couch.’?” Or “What if Grammy firmly stated, ’Megan, give that toy to me, you are done with it now.’?” Or “How about if our neighbor yells, ‘Get off the fence!’?” Or “If your sister tells you, ‘Time to get into your car seat.’?” Each of these examples should be answered with a polite, “O.K., name.” I would then respond, “That is right, even if someone else doesn’t speak kindly, we still speak respectfully and obey.”
Another way we use role playing is to practice common skills. We play “Yes, Mommy,” where to every command I give the children respond, “Yes, Mommy, I’d be glad to.” Along with “Yes, Mommy” we practice my calling them and their responding, “Yes, Mommy, I’m coming.” A round of this may start with my commanding them to put away a toy and then go somewhere silly (under kitchen table) and respond, “Yes, Mommy, I’d be glad to.” Then I call them to come to me and they respond, “Yes, Mommy, I’m coming.”