Everyone has a story about embarrassing supermarket melt downs.  Here’s a tip from a mom in Duluth about what to say when it happens.

In the grocery store check out line recently this mom’s daughter started to fuss – big time.  She wanted something and was loudly demanding it with tears and sobs.  The mom told her, “no” – she could not have the item, they were not going to buy anything today.  Her daughter just screamed louder.

A woman behind them in line leaned over and said, “Oh, why don’t you get it for her.”  This mom looked at her and said, “Do you want to raise her?”  

This Duluth mom knew the important lessons of No.  She knew that if she gave in to her child, when she knows she shouldn’t, that her daughter will just up the ante – next time.  It might seem like a small item – maybe a candy bar – but children need practice with hearing “no” for small things.  And parents need practice saying it.

The big issues will come eventually – they always do.  If we haven’t built up our No skills, then it will be too hard to hold the line when the stakes are really high.  And our kids will know that “No doesn’t really mean ‘no’.”  It just means you argue louder.