So tired of having to coax my kids into every little thing...

Sunflower777

My boys are 4.5 and almost 2. I feel like I have to coax them into every freaking thing in order to leave the house. Every.exhausting.detail. From stopping playing with toys & getting dressed to brushing teeth, to putting on shoes, to putting on a coat to getting in the car seat. Everything. I know this is normal behavior for their ages, but for just once, if they wouldn't fight me on one little detail - JUST ONE - it would be refreshing. Then maybe I'd have the energy to deal with another protest later. 

 ::sigh::

Vent over.  

JOEBunny

This is why my kids are the ones missing coats or shoes when it is 20 degrees outside.  I get tired of fighting the battle.  I have gotten where I gather a bag of everything we need.  I fill up the bag with shoes, socks, coats, hats, sometimes clothes if they are not dressed and take them both into the bathroom, where there is nothing else to do and get them both ready at once. 

Otherwise, DD is going to find her shoes and comes back 20 minutes later having taped her brothers mouth shut or something while I look for the sock she lost along the way.  

jlw2505

Have you tried making games out of some of the stuff.  We have contests to see who can clean up the most or who can get dressed fastest (with help as needed since my kids are 2 1/2 and 4 1/2) and things like that.  We offer rewards at times - a special treat or something when everything is done.  I tend to work on one thing at a time when have a lot to get done - my little one needs more direction still so instead of just a general, time to clean up the toys - for my younger DD I add that she needs to put her dolls in their bed.  When that is done, I offer the next instruction.  DH or I try to help.  I will often have them race me - if both my older DD and I need to go to the bathroom and then get our coats and shoes on, I tell her to see if she can beat me.  It makes things more fun and more of a game.  It doesn't always work but even if it works half the time, it is better than getting frustrated all the time and it becomes more of a routine.  My older DD (4 1/2) is very much into helping and doing things herself where my younger DD (2 1/2) still needs a lot of help.  I use that to the full advantage and then praise my older DD like crazy when she helps.  When we get home later on some nights and its time to get ready for bed.  My DH and I will tell them to go help each other into their PJ's while we get their milk and other stuff ready and it works great.

ridesbuttons

I hear ya.  My not-yet 2 year old is pretty agreeable yet, but my 3.5 year old is beyond stubborn.  We bookend fun activities (skiing) with battles over getting into the proper gear to go, and then again leaving when it is time to leave.

Makes me not want to do stuff, which is a sad state to be in.

adri77

https://www.loveandlogic.com/ecom/p-121-love-and-logic-magic-for-early-childhood-book.aspx

This book has changed my life.  i feel so much lighter b/c parenting has become enjoyable to me, not a battlefield.  I have suggested to 2 friends as well, and they are now swearing by it!  I researched lots of parenting books before I settled on this one b/c it just "fit" us the best, and had the most concrete instructions to follow for difficult situations.  check it out!