The difference between being the good cop and the bad cop
Filed under:
MummyBloggers
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Unfortunately I’m the bad cop. I’m the one who calls bedtime, breaks up fun because it’s getting too rough and takes on a no-nonsense approach to mess, noise and manners.
Being the bad cop has its negatives, not least being called a ‘fun destroyer’, but if it wasn’t for me some things simply wouldn’t happen...
1. Bedtime
Good cop: Going to bed involves a little dance, maybe a song and some tickles.
Bad cop: Fun stops when I say bedtime. There is no way around it – if bedtime doesn’t go to plan then everything else is skewed!
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2. Extra play time
Good cop: Ten more minutes would be at least an hour.
Bad cop: The stopwatch starts as soon as they go back out – otherwise my little girl would end up playing outside until she was hungry.
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3. Dessert
Good cop: Who wants ice-cream?
Bad cop: Dessert? Who said there was dessert?
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4. Outfit decisions
Good cop: They give a few choices, with explanations for each.
Bad cop: You don’t give your youngster a choice between two different socks – they wear what they’re given, no buts.
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5. Excuses
Good cop: Gives them the benefit of the doubt, and at least five more chances.
Bad cop: You get one chance and that’s it!
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6. Cleaning their room
Good cop: Helps them out and does the hardest part.
Bad cop: Points out areas they’ve missed.
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7. Not doing their chores
Good cop: Is usually the reason they’re not doing them...
Bad cop: Follows them around to make sure they get it right.
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8. Activities
Good cop: Whatever happens, happens.
Bad cop: Has everyone up early at the weekend to do something – no excuses.
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9. Giving permission
Good cop: Yes!
Bad cop: No!
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10. Morning time
Good cop: Just give them five more minutes
Bad cop: Screams "up!" really loudly...
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Mary Byrne is a staff writer at MummyPages and mum to a horse-crazy, sports-mad, seven-year-old girl.
