Keiki are more likely to cooperate with parents if they feel they have some say in what they have to do. By giving keiki choices when they are young they can gain confidence in their decision making ability and will be more likely to make better choices when they get older. Rather than fighting with your keiki in the morning over getting dressed give her an option of what to wear. Ask "do you want to wear this red shirt or this green shirt?" Do not ask you "what do you want to wear?" because that is too many choices.

When they don't want to bathe, ask "do you want a bath or a shower?" or "do you want liquid soap or a bar or soap?"

When you are giving choices limit the choice to one of two answers, either of which is acceptable to you. When your keiki says they want soda you can respond with "You may have milk or water". If they insist on soda you should just calmly repeat the two choices, "milk or water". If they still can't choose or don't want your options you can give a second choice, "Do you want to choose or should I choose for you?"

Your choices should be specific. When you ask "What do you want for breakfast?" and they say ice cream then both of you are unhappy. The better way to say it is "Do you want cereal or eggs for breakfast?" Or "Do you want scrambled eggs or boiled eggs?"

As keiki get older you can give them more choices.

Do not overwhelm your keiki with choices but when appropriate they can be an effective tool to get them to cooperate with you.