Discipline Your Child in 3-2-1

I always try new things to discipline my kids. One that we parents usually do is give our kids ultimatum.

USUAL STYLE
Mom: Come on Sean, and Carlos time to eat.
Sean: (playing) Yes mom. I’ll be there in a while.
Carlos: (watching TV) Wait mom, just finishing the show.
AFTER 10 MINUTES (Mom is still alone in the dining table)
Mom: Come on guys!
Sean/Carlos: Coming!
AFTER 10 MORE MINUTES (Mom is still waiting... impatiently.)
Mom: Guys it’s time to eat. (counting off) One… Two…
Sean: (still relaxed) Wait lang mom.
Carlos: Mom you’re counting up to 3? 5? Or hanggang 10?
(If mom was initially thinking of counting only to 3, and no one reacts, she adjusts it to 5, and if there’s still no reaction, move to 10. Until the threat of counting loses its value.)

MY STYLE.
Mom: Come on Sean, and Carlos time to eat.
Sean: (playing) Yes mom. I’ll be there in a while.
Carlos: (watching TV) Wait mom, just finishing the show.
Mom: Okay, I’M COUNTING DOWN. In five… four… three…
(Sean and Carlos rushing to the dining room)

This way the kids know that it will end at 1. No matter where I start, whether I do 10 to 1, 5 to 1, or 3 to 1. It will always end at 1.

It works! I tried it with my kids, nephew, and niece. COUNTING DOWN always makes kids follow.