I have read a lot of parenting books, and implement a lot of other people’s good ideas with great success. But I can think of literally only one original idea I’ve ever had in regards to rearing my four children, and it’s been pretty darn successful so I’ve decided to share it with you.
It’s pretty simple. We call it the “come here fist pump.” I told my kids that if I hold a closed fist in the air, it means “come here right now“. They all know what it means, and it enables me to communicate with them without screaming across a park or pool, so long as I have eye contact, and ensure their safety. I hold my fist in the air and they come. No matter where I’m at, no matter what they are doing, I have told them it is imperative they obey because I might be calling them to me because of danger they don’t know about.
If we make eye contact and I indicate they need to come here and they don’t, there will be a consequence for disobedience.
I cannot tell you the number of times this has helped me. When my kids are wandering too far, when there is a conflict between siblings and I need to help resolve it, when I’m stuck sitting with a baby and can’t chase them down – this simple trick has been a boon to me for years.
Clearly it doesn’t take a genius to make this up, but I’m thinking if you take this idea and incorporate it, you’ll wish you’d done it long ago. Simple, but oh so helpful.
Every other idea I use while parenting is someone else’s thought – but this one’s mine. I hope it helps! Let me know if your life is changed forever by the “come here fist pump.” I honestly wouldn’t be surprised.
