The One-Word Statement. Many parents have told us how much they appreciate this skill. They claim it saves time, breath, and boring explanations. Teenagers we've worked with have told us they too prefer the single word, "Door"…"Dog"…or "Dishes," and find it a welcome relief from the usual lecture. As we see it, the value of the one-word statement lies in the fact that instead of an oppressive command, we give the child an opportunity to exercise his own initiative, and his own intelligence. When he hears you say, "the dog," he has to think, "What about the dog?"...Oh, yeah, I didn't walk him yet this afternoon...Guess I'd better take him out now."
-Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, Best Selling Authors, How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
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