Understanding Commands and Explanations in Parenting: Key Differences

Understanding Commands and Explanations in Parenting: Key Differences

Hi there. I'm an engineering dad studying for my kid. I kind of regret not going to med school, so I'm catching up on pediatrics these days. This is just my personal digital notepad.

Key Takeaways

• The video discusses the differences between commands, explanations, persuasion, and order.
• It’s said that using explanations can be more effective than commands in some situations.
• Timing and tone are crucial when deciding whether to command or explain.

Understanding Commands and Explanations

So, the video dives into how parents often grapple with giving commands versus explanations to their kids. Apparently, there are four main concepts to consider: commands, orders, explanations, and persuasion. It’s interesting how the speaker emphasizes that these aren't just opposing ideas; they can be used together depending on the situation.

Commands are basically just telling the child to do something. For instance, saying "Go wash your face" is a command. It’s direct and doesn't leave much room for discussion. On the other hand, an order is like a stronger command, maybe with more authority behind it. For example, "You need to wash your face now!" adds a bit of pressure.

When to Explain

The video mentions that explanations are important, especially when kids ask questions like "Why do I need to wash my face?" It could be that explaining the reasons behind actions helps kids understand better and might even make them more likely to follow through. However, the speaker suggests that explanations should be kept short—like two or three times—because if you overdo it, kids might just tune you out. Honestly, I didn't know that!

Persuasion is another layer, where you try to influence a child's attitude or decision-making. It seems like this is more about helping them see the bigger picture rather than just following orders. The speaker warns, though, that using persuasion can sometimes backfire, making kids feel like they have a choice when they really don’t.

The Importance of Tone and Timing

Tone is super important, too. If a command is delivered in a harsh way, it could make kids feel pressured and resistant. The video points out that commands should be delivered in a neutral tone, while orders can be firmer. I found that pretty cool!

In daily life, the speaker suggests using commands for routine activities, like getting ready for school or eating dinner. If a command isn’t effective, then it might be time to switch to an order. This whole strategy is about creating a structure in parenting, which makes sense when you think about how kids thrive on routine.

For more details, please refer to the original video.

Video Source: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=)O-XlYyqO4A8