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Mommy confessions: What's the most effective bribe?

We've all been there. You're at a desperate moment where you need your child to be quiet, behave or just cooperate in a pinch and the only way you can pull it off is to bribe them. What's your best bribery tool?

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Results with 7 short comments
Total of 29 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

31%
A toy or "prize" while you're out shopping.
9 votes
10.3%
Letting your kids stay up later.
3 votes
24.1%
A lollipop or candy anytime. It's a sure thing.
7 votes
34.5%
None of the above. I've posted mine below.
10 votes
Display Comments:
None of the above. I've posted mine below.

I never had to bribe my toddler to do anything but as an 18-year-old, bribery and threatening to take the car away seems to be the best way

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    #1
     - kim carney
     - 1:49 pm EST on Fri Feb 5, 2010
    None of the above. I've posted mine below.

    Behave or a toy that I choose will go away when we get home. Said very nicely, very quietly, in his ear, 100% effective.

    {"commentId":12208128,"threadId":"784381","contentId":"3859487","authorDomain":"doingmybest"}
      #2
       - DoingMyBest
       - 6:39 pm EST on Fri Feb 5, 2010
      None of the above. I've posted mine below.

      Usually a trip to a place they love to go. The Library is a favorit! Or having a movie night, ect ect.

      {"commentId":12212483,"threadId":"784381","contentId":"3859487","authorDomain":"6-packMom"}
        #3
         - 6-pack Mom
         - 11:09 pm EST on Fri Feb 5, 2010
        None of the above. I've posted mine below.

        Bribing just reinforces bad behavior. Here kid, if you whine I'll buy you a toy?! Speak firmly, restate expectations, but don't bribe the

        {"commentId":12214568,"threadId":"784381","contentId":"3859487","authorDomain":"bkuntsi"}
          #4
           - BK-758293
           - 3:38 am EST on Sat Feb 6, 2010
          None of the above. I've posted mine below.

          we're doing allowances for doing chores and good deads. They can then buy treats and toys that have been preselected, we get to teach savin

          {"commentId":12219044,"threadId":"784381","contentId":"3859487","authorDomain":"joannalyn"}
            #5
             - joannalyn
             - 12:52 pm EST on Sat Feb 6, 2010
            None of the above. I've posted mine below.

            If they are good I let them choose a healthy snack. Something to make them feel special that they really like to get.

            {"commentId":12236438,"threadId":"784381","contentId":"3859487","authorDomain":"jamib"}
              #6
               - jamib
               - 12:57 pm EST on Sun Feb 7, 2010
              None of the above. I've posted mine below.

              A good, solid hiss, baring my teeth and showing my claws usually works. If not, I bite the back of their necks until they quiet down.

              {"commentId":12262012,"threadId":"784381","contentId":"3859487","authorDomain":"perryforpresident"}
                #7
                 - Perry Tenitiss
                 - 7:35 pm EST on Mon Feb 8, 2010

                Newsvine Discussion with 2 comments

                {"commentId":12201224,"authorDomain":"tammysteffens"}
                tammy.steffens

                We have a magnet board that has days of the week across the top and a chore and some other type of accomplishment along the side. When my 3 yo completes the "task" then she gets a magnet. It sounds very simple but she doesn't know any different. It's very rewarding for her. I also have used checking books out from the library as a reward.

                {"commentId":12201224,"threadId":"784389","contentId":"3859487","authorDomain":"tammysteffens"}
                  Reply#1 - Fri Feb 5, 2010 1:59 PM EST
                  {"commentId":12208258,"authorDomain":"doingmybest"}
                  DoingMyBest

                  Thank you for the checking books out idea: I'm going to implement that one immediately. We have paper gold stars that we hang from my 6 yo's bed for accomplishments. Right now we're working on getting out the door without hassle: he chooses how much time he thinks he'll need, he follows the list of things he needs to do - get dressed, brush teeth, etc., and he gets a star if we don't have to remind him of anything and he's ready in time. It's worked great! He's very proud of himself. He's also happy with the reward: one cookie for every 5 stars. He chose that, not me. I think I got off easy...

                  {"commentId":12208258,"threadId":"784389","contentId":"3859487","authorDomain":"doingmybest"}
                    Reply#2 - Fri Feb 5, 2010 6:45 PM EST
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