I find I have lot a easier time getting my son to accept hard dictates when I don't provide a reason - it's just the way it is. "Because I said so" is surprisingly effective[1], I think because he's learned that when I say it there is no more discussing.
Reasons provide a point of discussion - and my boy will discuss endlessly anything he's given the opportunity to. Particularly if discussing the reasons means not having to do the thing he doesn't want to do.
The problem I have is that I remember always wanting to know why (hell, I still do). So I have a default explain-first mentality that I've become increasingly aware I need to break.
It's a hard balance to find. You want the child to know the whys of what he's doing - but you don't want each reason to turn into an endless discussion.
[1] he's not happy about it, but it is remarkable effective :D
Reasons provide a point of discussion - and my boy will discuss endlessly anything he's given the opportunity to. Particularly if discussing the reasons means not having to do the thing he doesn't want to do.
The problem I have is that I remember always wanting to know why (hell, I still do). So I have a default explain-first mentality that I've become increasingly aware I need to break.
It's a hard balance to find. You want the child to know the whys of what he's doing - but you don't want each reason to turn into an endless discussion.
[1] he's not happy about it, but it is remarkable effective :D