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When my boy was 18 months and walking good we had so much fun at the mall during the mall walking time before it opened.

We took the cookies (strawberry newtons, his favorite) and went to sit on the bench at the mall. One whole wall nearby was mirrors and he loved to go over there and play with the "other baby."

I would let him toddle off for a bit then say "Stop, Come back." If he did he got a cookie and I would give him a kiss and a little tickle then let him go again back to the mirror wall. If he didn't come back I would repeat the sentence in the same matter of fact voice and give him a minute to obey. If he still didn't come back I would say, "You better listen." in my warning mommy voice. If that didn't work I would go get him and bring him back to the bench but he didn't get a cookie or a tickle. I would hold him on my lap for a minute then let him down again to go back to the mirror wall.

We played this game every morning for a month and it didn't take him more than a couple days before he would come flying back to me the minute I said "Stop, Come Back" He loved his cookies but most of all I think he liked that we played a game together every day. So many times I have been so glad we did. When he was 3 and pulled away from me and headed to the street my mother who was with us about fell over trying to get to him to keep him safe. I raised my mommy voice and said, "Stop, Come Back!" and he stopped immediately and came flying back for his hug.

My boy is 10 now and I couldn't ask for a more wonderful son. He obeys and makes me proud of him both in public and at home. He is very articulate and enjoys conversation and games which we still play a lot. I really enjoy being a mom even more than I ever thought I would. There have been times when I wanted to pull out my hair but we got through them and for the most part it was some variation of this technique that helped us.

Learn more about this author, Pamela Wyke.
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