Parents, do you ever wonder why your child keeps asking “Is dinner ready yet”, “Can I go outside now”, “Are we there yet.” It’s because you give them responses like “One more minute” or “Almost.” Young children have no concept of time. Your “wait one minute” is actually closer to 15 or 20 minutes and your “we’re almost there” is probably 40 miles. Your “one more minutes” are certainly not the same every day. Your kids are confused and so they keep asking and asking and asking.
The good news is that it’s an easy fix. Give them points of reference. Tell Nikki that the cookies will be ready when the big hand gets on the six. If you’re in the car, tell them that we will be at grandma’s house when both of the hands on the clock are on the 12 (always bring a battery operated clock on the long trips).
The elementary school where I worked had a basketball team. During the championship game, the score was tied and we had the ball with 20 seconds left on the clock. The coach called time out and said “Maria, we only have 20 seconds left, you take the last shot.” Maria dribbled the ball for 23 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After the game, the coach said “Maria why didn’t you take the shot?” She said “20 seconds is fast, Huh.”