Last weekend I saw a woman trying to tell her young daughter not to do something fucking annoying.
Except she didn't tell her, she ASKED her. And the kid ignored her. So then she moaned like buggery at her husband about how the kid wouldn't do anything she was told.

I had to restrain myself from shouting 'perhaps if you told her rather than asking her. She's three years old, you stupid, vapid bitch. You're the fucking parent.'

But obviously I'm British, so I just rolled my eyes and walked off.
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Mon 23 Jul 2012, 10:16, 1 reply, 13 years ago)

I ask my daughter rather than tell her.
Luckily she is a nice child and that almost always suffices. Practically every sentence she hears me say contains a please and/or thank you.

You can ask a child politely to do or not do something whilst still making it clear that it is really a command.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 23 Jul 2012, 10:22, Reply)

This^
Politeness costs nothing (fortunately for you)
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Mon 23 Jul 2012, 10:22, Reply)

Agreed
My kids are only told to do something if they are about to hurt themselves. Though most of my asking comes with a threat, i.e. She-Ra pick up your toys please or I will have put them in the bin.
( Peej, Mon 23 Jul 2012, 10:50, Reply)