This is an ongoing joke between my younger sister and myself. She and I were walking with her 3 year old son through a very large park. Every time we passed a bike rack, he begged and pleaded to get on a bike. (Important note: there were SEVERAL bikes and bike racks in this park.) Because we were in a hurry to meet our mother for a luncheon, she kept telling him no and explained we were late for meeting grandma. He was persistent and became louder, throwing a bigger fit at each bike. I could tell her frustration was mounting, especially when he started screaming, crying and trying to pull away from her hand. Being the supportive big sister, I never said a word. But I couldn’t help cracking up when she finally caved and at the last bike rack, said “No, you can’t get on that bike!” (Short pause) “For 2 minutes!!” Because her words all seemed to run together, I wanted to make sure I understood. I asked, “Does that mean he can’t get on the bike for 2 minutes but he can get on it for all the other minutes?” She was not amused.

One of our greatest challenges in raising kids is to be consistent. A retired child psychiatrist told me once that the best thing parents can do for their kids is to be consistent. This way, the child can always predict the outcome. She said these two things will be parents greatest gifts.

So, I’m wondering. What are challenges you face in being consistent with your kids?

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