Halloween hack: A “trick” to help kids remember to say ‘thank you’
Posted on October 31st, 2007 in Parenting
Julie’s hack is tough, but it works for her family.
Last year I got so tired of having to remind my kids to say "thank you" at every house that this year I told them every time I had to remind them to say thank you after getting their treat, I would take away a piece of their candy at the end of the night. We had trick-or-treat last night (absurdly early, I know) and it worked like a charm!
I appreciate the logical nature of this hack and the importance of manners, but I wonder if there’s a consequence that doesn’t involve the parent playing candy-tallying cop all night? For me (and, I imagine for the kids), the night would be a little less magical with a threat hanging in the air. Perhaps, if repeated reminders to say thank you are falling on deaf ears, holding a child back from trick-or-treating at the next house? It’s immediate, it’s clear, and then it’s done.
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