--- title: "Use Direct Language: Tell Don't Ask your Children" description: "Use Direct Language: Tell Don't Ask your Children" --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/03/01/use-direct-language-tell-dont-ask-your-children#) # Use Direct Language: Tell Don't Ask your Children Mar 1, 2011 3:00:22 PM  |  by [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) ![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/parent-help.jpg?width=300&height=280&name=parent-help.jpg "parent help")A pencil flies across the room. "Johnny," I said, "Why would you do something like that?" "Because," Johnny plainly replied. "Because why?" "I don't know." "Miss Suzie, would you like to join us?" I asked, tapping on the desk upon which the young girl laid her head for a mid-class nap. "Excuse me, missy. Would you please get down from there?" I asked my daughter as she climbed on top of the table only to be given with her honest response: "No, Daddy, No." As a father I have found myself falling into the same bad habits I had as a first-year teacher. When I first started teaching I was annoyed and surprised by some of the middle school behavior. It all seemed so ridiculous. The things they did shouldn't have even been funny. To be honest it didn't even bother me that much so I didn't come down that harshly. I took a polite tone with the kids, rather than one of authority. We grow up being taught to ask nicely for things and this becomes a habit that invades our teaching and our parenting. When we want to change a behavior in our children, the familiar maxim *ask, don't tell* doesn't quite work. We need to tell, not ask when we want kids to do something. Would you really want an honest answer to the question, "Would you please line up in a straight line, everyone?" ("No, Mr. Dees, we would rather do whatever we want and have fun!). I soon figured this out as a teacher and started to use direct language sometimes even using specific consequences: "Line-up, it's time to go back to class. Johnny, you have two seconds to get in line or you will lose 5 minutes of your recess." Now I need to learn this lesson as a father. I was able to master this as a teacher, but I'm amazed by how easy it was to fall into the same bad habits as a parent without even realizing it. *Give them an inch and they'll take a mile.* This applies to people of all ages. *What is your advice? How do you address young people in direct ways rather than using indirect questions? What habits have you formed that help curb bad behavior?* ***Copyright 2011 Jared Dees*** ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F03%2F01%2Fuse-direct-language-tell-dont-ask-your-children%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F03%2F01%2Fuse-direct-language-tell-dont-ask-your-children%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F03%2F01%2Fuse-direct-language-tell-dont-ask-your-children%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Use%20Direct%20Language%3A%20Tell%20Don%27t%20Ask%20your%20Children) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F03%2F01%2Fuse-direct-language-tell-dont-ask-your-children%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F03%2F01%2Fuse-direct-language-tell-dont-ask-your-children%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Profile%203.jpg) ### [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) We welcome guest contributors who graciously volunteer their writing for our readers. Please support our guest writers by visiting their sites, purchasing their work, and leaving comments to thank them for sharing their gifts here on CatholicMom.com. To inquire about serving as a guest contributor, contact editor@CatholicMom.com. ## Related Blog Articles [ “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal continues progression …down the Slippery Slope! by Hugh McNichol Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2010/02/05/dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-continues-progression-down-the-slippery-slope-by-hugh-mcnichol) [ Don't Forget to Tell the Kids Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/03/31/dont-forget-to-tell-the-kids) [ Don't Throw Away Your Confidence Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/02/28/dont-throw-away-your-confidence) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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