Moms Talk: How To Say 'No'

Most parents want to make their childen happy. (If you're reading Patch, we know you're one of those parents!)

It's often difficult to say "no"—unless it's to tell the toddler not to stick his finger in the electric outlet or stick her face in front of the dog's dish while it eats.

We buy them the toys they want.

We drive them to 5 a.m. hockey practices before work and 6 p.m. T-ball practices after work.

We sit through concerts featuring some god-awful sounds that no one with any sense would define as music.

But we all have our breaking points, whether they be financial in nature or for our own mental stability.

So, we ask you, the fine readers of Gloucester Township Patch: How do you go about telling your children "no?"

Some relative questions to consider:

• If you have a hard time saying "no," why do you think that is?
• Do you have any suggestions for the mom (or dad) out there who just can't seem to say "no?"
• For the more experienced parents out there: Did your willingness to say "no" change as your child got older? What's the age where it becomes easier?

Editor's Note: Moms Talk is a feature on GloucesterTownship.Patch.com that aims to reach out to and bring together moms and families.

GloucesterTownship.Patch.com invites you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers and their families right here in Gloucester Township.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share solutions, utilizing the comment box below.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will have a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.

Moms Talk will also be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topic.

So grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation today—and every Wednesday!—at 1 p.m. Can't make it for the 1-2 p.m. chat? Then drop a line for our Moms Council and readers to consider.