Don't Just Say "Because I Said So"

Tell them the reason why you are asking them not to do something. A simple, “Do this because I say so,” can often make them feel restrained and frustrated because they don’t understand the reason behind the request. They need to know the moral reason why in their hearts so they are equipped to make that good decision again.

As the writer, Roger Lewin once said, “Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.”

My son Jonas can respond to others harshly sometimes. I don’t just want to tell him to stop speaking harshly. I want to teach him about people being precious and how our words need to build people up and not tear them down.