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Hi, this is Janet Lansbury. Welcome to Unruffled. Today I'm going to be doing

something a little different thanks to a couple who graciously agreed to

consult with me here. One of them reached out via email

with concerns about her four-year-old's unwillingness to cooperate with the steps

leading up to bedtime and also during morning transitions.

The parents wondered if there was a point when following through with limits around bath time,

tooth brushing, dressing, should mean using force.

And as a couple, they have differing views about this issue.

They've tried sticker charts, taking away story time

if she doesn't get ready in time, working with her

to help develop a bedtime routine, but none of those strategies have worked out.

So they asked if I could share any thoughts that I have.

As is often the case, when I read their note note I had way more questions than I did

answers. So I very much appreciate them being willing to share with us here.

Hello and thank you so much for being here and being willing to share with me and

listeners about your issues. I imagine there's other parents going through similar

things so I really appreciate you being

willing to be on with me.

So I would like to start with your note that you sent me a couple of weeks ago. And here it is. Thank you so much for all

your lessons on parenting and developing respectful connections with my two

...