My kids sometimes take forever deciding something. Sometimes, I give them the time, but sometimes I count. I say, “If you can’t decide by the time I count to three, then I get to decide for you.” This might come up when they are trying to pick out clothes, the flavor of yogurt for breakfast or any number of choices. I like to give choices, but sometimes we’re in more of a hurry or they just need to learn to be more decisive. Let me clarify that I don’t count when it comes to obedience. We expect first time obedience. We do not say, “You need to come here. Come here. Come over here. OK – You need to come here by the time I count to three.” We want them to obey right away, all the way. This is totally different. This simply relates to trying to encourage them to make a quicker decision between A and B.
I like this idea. Timmy is 4 now and in that indecisive phase and it about takes every ounce of patience I have. But, like you, with obedience, he gets one shot. That’s it. And he knows by now not to test me on it…well most of the time:)