Comments on: Magic Words

By: Sadia

Sadia — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:48:28 +0000

I haven’t read the book, but I’m a big counter. Yesterday, one of my 2 1/2-year-olds was dawdling getting ready for bed, so I started in “One …”. She looked at me, said, “Don’t say one, Mama” and hopped to it.

We have gotten to three, though. The consequence is usually timeout or the relinquishing of some privilege.

By: rachael

rachael — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:03:41 +0000

i used to do that with lydia, before i had even heard of magic 1-2-3! i would count backwards from 5 to 1 and usually she would do whatever needed doing by the time 4 was out of my mouth! worked wonders until she got old enough to challenge me and then i had to come up with consequences rather than empty threats!

By: Heather Bonner

Heather Bonner — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:59:06 +0000

“If you…then no TV” are my magic words.

By: goodncrazy

goodncrazy — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:28:24 +0000

Ooooh one special magic word, eh? Am worried it might be a cuss word, (shhh). usually just the FULL name (not the nicknames I almost always call them!)

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:30:29 +0000

Counting in REVERSE!!!! Like the countdown to maternal lift-off…LOVE it! Will attempt it today, and not to be a pessimist, but I feel confident occasion will occur…

Makes me extra happy to know it’s still an employ-able effective technique for as they get older as well…

And “Freeze” beats the “AAHHHHHKKKKKK!” non-word that emerges from my mouth.

By: Eva

Eva — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:14:00 +0000

I might need that book!

A word that works well at our house (though less for discipline) is “special.” As in, this is a very special cheese, you should try it. Do you want to go on a special outing? Then you better go to the front door right away. If you sit on the potty you can wear a special diaper (okay, that one stopped working). We try not to overuse it, but the power of special really works wonders at our house.

By: LauraC

LauraC — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:39:56 +0000

We are 1-2-3 Magic people also. It was really nice to be traveling this weekend and hear so many comment on how well-behaved the boys were! It really does feel like magic some days!!!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:28:21 +0000

Backwards!! Genius! I’m definitely trying that one. And I SOOOO need to tell my husband to stop the “2 1/2 … 2 3/4…” thing. I’ve tried – but maybe now that it’s in WRITING…

And Freeze. Man – that might actually work too! I think we’re at a good age to adopt that one as well.

I’d write about what works with my kids, but frankly – not much does. counting to 3 sometimes works…with maybe one of them … but not always.

By: Helen

Helen — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:07:51 +0000

I’m a teacher, and “3-2….” works every time- although, I often start at “10″, but believe me they get the message and move a lot faster

By: Goddess in Progress

Goddess in Progress — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:11:28 +0000

I love it! I’ve got to pick up that book. It’s a little early for use with my kids, I’m sure, but I know my time is coming. And I really like the idea of a “seldom-used” word to mean something really serious.