Have you ever overheard another parent say something to their child and you thought to yourself, “I’m totally stealing that phrase to use with mine!” Well, today I’m going to share with you 20 great phrases you’re going to want to add to your parenting toolbox! Many of these I just recently learned myself but I am totally starting to incorporate them into everyday language at our house. Check out these great parenting phrases below.
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You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.
Sometimes things don’t go my way, what do we say: that’s OK.
You don’t have to like it, ya just have to do it.
If your gonna play rough, you gotta be tough.
Obey right away, all the way, with a joyful heart
God made dirt and dirt don’t hurt.
Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future.
If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.
That attitude is like a stinky diaper, it’s time to change it.
If you’re going to be a turd, go lay in the yard.
Put your derriere in a chair!
If it’s not fun for all, it’s not fun at all.
Slow obedience is still disobedience.
Practice makes progress.
Do you want them to be glad we came or glad we left?
Do it right or do it again.
See a need, fill a need.
A job half done is a job not done at all.
You can choose to obey or not to obey, but you don’t get to choose your punishment.
Eat it up, wear it out, use it up or do without.
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Do you use any of these phrases currently? Which one is your favorite?
I love these. My mother used to say some of these things to us when we were little. Thank you so much for sharing this
It is important to treat children with respect, as we would treat adults. We are modeling how we want them to speak to us and to other adults and children. Would you say this to an adult: If you’re going to be a turd, go lay in the yard? I certainly hope not. If you cannot imagine Fred Rogers using one of your phrases , it probably should not be on a list of suggested parenting phrases.
Hi Nancy,
While I can certainly understand what you are saying and respect that, I think it also comes down to the dynamics in each individual family and context. For example, I have children who like to tease. I’ll be reaching for an item and they grab it quickly and run off or hide something they know I’m looking for. It’s not done maliciously but in a teasing, lighthearted way. I’ve definitely said to them in the past, “Hey don’t be a little stinker” as they run off giggling. My husband and I tease each other all the time. It’s just life in OUR family. This is not the type of phrase I’d use in anger (because in my mind it’s too silly for it to be taken seriously) but one when teasing is happening.
I find myself borrowing phrases from my work (I work in a school which services students with significant special needs), but I agree with Nancy that they need to be respectful. Some examples include pointing out when I’ve made a mistake and not making a big deal of it, such as, “Oops! Mommy (or I) made a mistake. Is that a big deal or small deal?” We’ve discussed what would constitute a big deal (a child getting hurt, for example, or a fire). I also like to offer alternatives for responses my kids can use/do, “You can say, ‘No, thank you.'” (instead of yelling, smacking, etc.).
I’ve found that I’ve engendered an environment full of teachable moments, where more of our interactions are discussions and less argumentative or punitive. I’m definitely not perfect, and I, like everyone else, have moments that I’m not proud of, but I think it’s much more constructive to help our children understand their expectations and roles in a positive manner.
I remember hearing so many of these growing up especially if its worth doing its worth doing right. I still think about that when I start on a project to make sure I take care with what I am doing.
These are great, thank you for sharing! I have actually not heard of a lot of these, but I will definitely be using them! One that I remember from my childhood and still use fondly today is, God made dirt and dirt don’t hurt! 🙂