Question
My son (4.5 years old) is on behavior tickets. On of his behaviors is "refusing to do what you are told". He does fairly well EXCEPT... I feel like he frequently takes too long to comply (putting on shoes takes 8 minutes instead of 2 or 3). When I feel like enough time has passed, I take a ticket. Then son says "But I was going to do it" or some such nonsense...which does not prevent me from taking a ticket. This is particularly bad in the evenings when son is told to put on pajamas/ get ready for bed as he knows that losing tickets at that point is no big deal since the day is almost over anyway. Please advise on how to nip this bedtime battle in the bud.
Answer
I would suggest using a timer. Change his target behavior list to state ,"refusing to do what you are told in the time allotted". Tell him at bed time that he has x amount of minutes to get ready for bed. Specify what is to be done. Don't give him more than three things to get done for now. An example would be, "brush your teeth, put on pajamas, and use the restroom." Tell him that he has 10 minutes to get all three done and when the timer goes off, you will meet him in his room to see that all has been done. If he has not completed the 3 things, tell him that he has lost his remaining tickets and that tomorrow night, he will have to go to bed an hour early.
