Please remember that children and many adults are positively suggestible. This means when they are told, “don’t drop the ball” their conscious mind hears “don’t” and subconscious hears “drop the ball”. Since the subconscious is stronger than the conscious mind it often overrides it. The term for this is cognitive dissonance. This is because two commands are given at the same time. One is positive and the other is negative. The proper way to convey don’t drop the ball is to phrase it as a positive statement. Catch the ball. Don’t spill the milk becomes, hold tight. Don’t run in the house becomes, Walk in the house. The admonition to the husband of: Don’t stay out late becomes, I have a Tupperware rolling pin that is filled with water. I just put it in the freezer, and the longer your out, the harder it gets. Why didn’t they tell us about this stuff in psychology or health classes? I guess they just didn’t know. This principle has been known by the military for many generations. The Army command is halt. The old Navy command was avast. Simple words that everyone would know and understand, and could use in a time of stress. But in any case, enjoy the adventure of growing up with your child.

It is always the darkest, just

before it turns completly black.