You Need To Be Specific

With kids (especially sons) you need to be specific and don’t assume anything. Asking, “Did you wash your hands?” Needs to be the more specific question of, “did you use soap and wash both hands?”
Hygiene is a tricky area with boys. It’s not until they smell like a monkey’s butt, or look like a hobo that they’ll finally take a shower. Potatoes start growing in their ears, their finger nails will get long and dirty. Their teeth will get green and brown. If you think you shouldn’t have to remind your son to cut his toenails or brush his teeth— think again. “Did you brush all your teeth?” And, “in the shower did you use soap and after your shower did you put on clean clothes and underwear?” Sound like stupid questions, until you have a son. I’ve personally seen my kid wearing the same dirty clothes after they took a shower.
“Did you clean your room?” needs to be a more detailed question like, “did you pick up your socks, video games and toys?” Followed by, “did you shove everything into the closet or under the bed?”
“Why are you two fighting?” Can be interrupted many ways to a kid, you need to ask, “Who hit who first, what started the argument?” or “why are you missing a tooth and why is there blood on the floor?”
With kids, “What are you doing?” is too vague. If you suspect something, you need to ask, “Where are you putting your dirty socks and why can’t I find any of them?” Or my personal favorite, “where is the other half of the crayon, is it up your nose?”
Kids need reminders. Like not eating the whole bag of candy. It should be obvious, unless you’re a kid. They need a reminder that eating ten pounds of chocolate will make them sick. They also need a reminder to brush their teeth and to change their underwear— daily.
Someday I’ll miss these little pep talks, until then I’ll remember not to assume anything and that the questions need to be specific.