Thing 2

Best Hand-Me-Down EVAH.

zoot

The above dress was given as a hand-me-down from my friend Stacey’s daughter to NikkiZ. It’s a little big for her, but it just makes it look a bit more formal as it hangs all the way to the floor, making her feel even more like a princess than she would if it fit. She has worn this almost once a day since we brought it home last week. It became a HUGE deal to get her out of the dress for any sort of activity where Ariel’s Bridal Gown might be inappropriate (like bathtime). Just when I was starting to wish we had never accepted the costume from Leah, MrZ discovered a certain power the dress possessed. The power to DISCIPLINE.

Whenever NikkiZ did something she shouldn’t do? MrZ discovered that all it took was the threat to take the “Princess Dress” away and NikkiZ would shape up almost immediately. Use the potty? Yep. Clean up her toys? Yep. Mow the grass? Sure! She did everything we asked as long as we wouldn’t take away her precious dress.

I’m totally writing a parenting book now.

Published by zoot

20 thoughts on “Best Hand-Me-Down EVAH.”

  1. Um, Yeah we’ll see how long it lasts. Or maybe you’re beter at discipline than I ever was. My boys were contrary and when I said I’d take whatever away they’d yell at me to take away something even more coveted. They were a bit older than NikkiZ Princess~Queen of the House, at the time.

    Let me know when that book is piblished.

  2. I’m sure you don’t have to do this for Lil Z, but remember (in case you need this knowledge later on down the road): this works on teenagers, too! Threaten to take away anything they deem precious (and you may have to actually do this a time or two to let them know you mean business), and they will do your bidding!

  5. Hooray – someone else who uses the same parenting philosophy as me! I have had to follow through on the threats on occasion. On the times said treasure of the day was confiscated, it was stored in a crate on top of the tv cabinet, in prominent view for a specified time. Simple torture, it works a treat.

    You are lucky the costume of choice is weather appropriate, after wearing a fairiy costume all day, girl-child changed into a mermaid costume (bikini and skirt) during the icy winter rain.

  8. I did the exact same thing.. and it was a pretty pink princess costume that she was in love with for THREE YEARS! Worked like a charm.

    Although… now she believes she is the Princess of all she surveys. 😐

    Worked out sooooo well.

  10. That pic is so awesome! And I’m happy you have some new found leverage! You know what that reminds me of? I still have BAGS and BAGS in the storage room for you… After we make sure there are no spiders, we might find EVEN more leverage…..

  12. Oh man…she is one adorable princess. What I want to know is how you got her to mow the lawn? I mean, I have a hard enough time getting my 13 year old to do it…but then again, I don’t have a princess dress to threaten her with. 🙂

  16. Bribery is awesome! Nothing better to get them to do what you want.

    When she stops being interested in it take the dress away for a few months. Then when she has forgotten about it bring it back. It will be like having a brand new toy all over again.

    (You can also do that with other toys. Less presents you have to buy. Just pull one out of the bag. It doesnt work so great when they get older, and they relaise what is happenning)

  17. I thought of you and NikkiZ the other day. We went to a new market and they had a whole wall of different gorgeous little princess dresses.

  19. That’s an adorable pic… when I was her age I used to love dressing up in princess dresses too! I was a pretty good kid so not much punishement needed. 🙂 But it sounds like it’s working for you for now!

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