Saying No to a child!
@sprite1950 (30461)
Corsham, England
June 10, 2018 3:43am CST
Sometimes it really is necessary to say no to something you don't want a child to do. This morning my granddaughter has a really bad cold but is pestering me to go swimming with her friend. I need her to stay well this week as she has a camping trip at the weekend so I think staying out of the water won't hurt her at the moment.
Kids know how to wear you down by whining and moaning but this time I am standing firm. There have been times when I've backed down just for my own sanity but it's not good for them if you give in every time. I will have to think of something to distract her today.
What do you think? Do you think I'm being unreasonable?
12 people like this
15 responses
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
10 Jun 18
She even asked for some paracetamol so I know she was not feeling well. It would have been silly to get wet and cold.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
11 Jun 18
@LadyDuck That's what I thought and I have paid for it so I want her to go.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502429)
• Italy
11 Jun 18
@sprite1950 She would have been more sick and ruin her camping trip.
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@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
10 Jun 18
She's making a fuss and saying I am "overprotective" but I don't want her being ill next weekend as I have paid for this camping trip.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (59365)
• Portugal
10 Jun 18
@sprite1950 even if she didn't have the camping trip, with a bad cold it could be dangerous to her as she could end up with a pneumonia.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
11 Jun 18
@nela13 Swimming pools are a breeding ground for bacteria too so I preferred that she stayed at home when she wasn't well.
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@caopaopao (12395)
• China
13 Jun 18
I absolutely support you. I often say no to my daughter. If her request is unreasonable. This is good for her growth.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
13 Jun 18
Yes, my granddaughter didn't put up too much of a fight although she whined about it for a while
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@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
14 Jun 18
@caopaopao Yes especially girls. They like to whine!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Jun 18
That's the hardest part of parenting, trying not to give in for the sake of your own sanity. There have been so many times where I've wanted to give in just because my kids were driving me insane. They are relentless when they want something bad enough!
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
10 Jun 18
Yes they learn to manipulate at quite a young age but on this occasion I did not back down. I don't normally wrap her in cotton wool but she has a busy week ahead and I need her to be well.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
12 Jun 18
@moffittjc Yes, the packing is awful just for a short weekend. You have to allow for all weathers but it's nice when it's done and she's away for the weekend. She goes with the Girl Guides. Do you have them in the US?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Jun 18
@sprite1950 She'll thank you later when she is healthy enough tot do the things that are planned for her in this busy week ahead.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29882)
• Manila, Philippines
10 Jun 18
Hi Snowdrop. No for me as you were only thinking of her health and welfare. She has to feel better or else her cold might not leave her alone asap. As my husband says, do not give in to the tantrums because it really gets the best of us.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
10 Jun 18
She calmed down in the end and tonight her cold is much better so I'm glad I made her stay home 
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29882)
• Manila, Philippines
11 Jun 18
@sprite1950 Glad that she listened to you too.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
12 Jun 18
@mlgen1037 Yeah, kids soon forget and she forgot about it quite quickly so no harm done and she is much better now.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
14 Jun 18
The sad thing is I think she may have some sort of throat infection now as it has started to be painful and she feels a little poorly.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
15 Jun 18
@Peach10 She's better now so I think she will be all set for her camping trip this weekend.
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@Peach10 (1920)
•
14 Jun 18
@sprite1950 The more she should not be in the pool for long
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@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
10 Jun 18
On the contrary, not only are you not being unreasonable but are being a good and caring grandparent. If parents or grandparents don't set the boundries, who will?
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
11 Jun 18
This is true. I don't want her to think she can throw a tantrum and get what she wants all the time.
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
13 Jun 18
Even though I didn't let he go she is saying her throat is sore this morning! Hope she's ok for the weekend 
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Jun 18
You need to instill discipline and the lesson that you can't get everything you want in life just by pouting and whining.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
10 Jun 18
Yes girls are the worst for that but she soon calmed down and seemed to accept that she wouldn't be going.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
10 Jun 18
No, you sound like you're being reasonable. She has an activity that you're trying to make sure she can still attend this week, and there will be other swimming opportunities this summer.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
10 Jun 18
She sulked a bit and then calmed down. Her cold seems much better tonight so I'm glad I didn't let her go.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
10 Jun 18
Yes. I really didn't feel that swimming would be good for her with such a bad cold and I need her to be well at the weekend for her camping trip. She accepted it in the end.
1 person likes this
@saritflor (3914)
• Hungary
14 Jun 18
When saying no it's actually for the favor of them I'm totally pro!
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
15 Jun 18
Children need boundaries. She will understand when she grows up and has her own.
@saritflor (3914)
• Hungary
21 Jun 18
@sprite1950 That's correct but to everything should be done with certain sensitivity
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
20 Jun 18
She soon forgot about it and is going swimming this weekend with a friend now that she is better.
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@Jessabuma (31696)
• Baguio, Philippines
28 Jun 18
I think you did the right thing.. I know you're just thinking about her safety and her health as well..
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@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
28 Jun 18
Yes she forgot about it in the end and everything was ok for the camping trip.
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@Jessabuma (31696)
• Baguio, Philippines
28 Jun 18
@sprite1950 that's nice! I am glad to hear that
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@sprite1950 (30461)
• Corsham, England
10 Jun 18
Well I guess she may have been alright but she is much improved tonight so staying home couldn't have done her any harm and I want her to be well for her camping trip next Friday.
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