Do you know anyone who is foolish enough to actually engage a rampaging tantrumming toddler in a debate or discussion about what ever it is they are having a hissy fit about?

My wife insists on explaining to our toddler exactly why it is that whatever she is asking for is unreasonable, over and over again. It goes something like this:

Little Miss: I want a plain bickie

She Who Must Be Obeyed: Sweetie, you have just finished breakfast so you don’t need a plain biscuit.

Little Miss: I want a plain bickie

She Who Must Be Obeyed: Not now, you can have one at morning tea time.

Little Miss: I want a plain bickie

She Who Must be Obeyed: If you are still hungry you can have a mandarin.

etc etc etc etc until finally

Little Miss: I want a plain bickie (by this time a high pitched scream)

She Who Must be Obeyed: You can’t have a #$%^$%v #$^$#^ biscuit because I #%^*^ $%$% said so …. (now also a high pitched scream).

Personally I think saying no twice while explaining why is enough and after that I just don’t engage. I wonder who is doing the most damage to our toddler’s psyche? Daddy or Mrs Daddy?

On the other hand these people seem to actually have some advice on taming a toddler - too bad I am too tired to even bother reading it to find out. If someone could do that for me and flick me a line it would be much appreciated.