TLDR I had trouble getting certain daily tasks completed with my daughter (getting dressed, styling her hair) so I created alternate characters that I play in order to get her to cooperate and complete tasks.So I've debated for a while posting this. But it's a creative parenting tip. Some of you may agree, others may disagree with the concept. That's fine. It works for us.Create a character. Get out of your comfort zone and create a character and be imaginative. I am, and have been since she was 3 months old, our daughters primary care taker. My wife works in the medical field. Around the time my daughter turned 4, she and I were butting heads getting her to complete certain tasks, getting dressed, shower, eating. So one day I thought if it wasn't me doing the task, but someone else, maybe it will be easier. So with a pair of ComicCon glasses from the FoxTV booth, the red pair that Linda Belcher wears in Bob's Burgers, Sue was born. Her voice, an accent from the south, is loosely based on a favorite aunt of mine. My aunt is so sweet. Why did I pick a woman? I don't know. It just started that way. I introduced myself to my daughter with the glasses and the voice and said "I'm a tough gal and I need you to follow my directions while your dad is away." My daughter was hooked after that introduction. I use Sue when I need to shower her or brush teeth, and wow, does my daughter listen. Tonight she updated Sue on the progress of her mom growing her baby sister and that she wants to name her Barnacus and it's the size of an onion.Another character is Skip Winkleman, a game show host of the "hit TV show, Pick Your Pajamas" which has not been picked up by any TV stations yet, but has at least 250 short 5 minute episodes. Loosely based on Billy Beagle from a Mickey Mouse cartoon show, he is a loud character with YouTube game show music. When she hears that game show tune start rocking, she gets so excited and comes racing upstairs. I use one of my daughters microphones from a toy and the running gag with skip is he is always looking for me (her dad) to play the game but my daughter always gets to play because I am in character and no where to be found. Then, when I return to see her in pajamas she laughs because I always ask if Skip was here and why did I not get to play. She laughs so hard at that gag.The last one is Sebastian. He's a surfer dude that likes to style hair on the side. He is always coming from the beach, talks in that exaggerated TV surfer style voice using words like rad, bodacious, and gnarly to describe things. And she sits still for Sebastian so he can style her hair.All three characters exist in our universe so Skip and Sue and Sebastian all know each other and know me and my wife. My daughter catches up the characters on how she is doing and what she's been up to. It's an imaginative fun way to get around tasks that she does not want to do with/for me..... her dad.I did try other ways to accomplish these tasks before the character idea came to me. Shower at different times of the day, make teeth brushing a game, giving her a little bit of screen time while I styled her hair. Ultimately the characters do the trick. And it's fun and creative for her IMHO. The last 9 months I have not needed them every day. I'll use a character every few days. She is a lot better at cooperating for her dear old dad now. Try it for yourself if you are struggling to get a daily routine task done. Thanks for reading. via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/3iF8HhN
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