JFF Can You Give the Look?

Updated on February 21, 2012
B.S. asks from Lansing, MI
17 answers

Another question but mostly for fun....as I started thinking about this as I was writing the McDonalds question.

Can you give your children "the look" from across the room that says you better stop doing what your are doing and they stop? I've mastered this look and for the majority my kids do abide by the look? Just curious if any of you do this too?

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So What Happened?

Ok...so I take it I shall relish in the fact the look still works.....ahhhhhhh

Featured Answers

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

You mean.... THIS LOOK?!

[does 'the look'; you feign terror]

Yes, yes I can :) AND it's effective on OTHER people's kids too! (and husband's, most of the time)...

I'm THAT good ;)

3 moms found this helpful

R.B.

answers from La Crosse on

yes I have the look and have it down very well and all the kids know that if they don't stop they will have a punishment when the timing is right. Thankfully even my 15 yr old still responds to it!

I kinda laugh because if my 11 & 12 yr old keep annoying my 15 yr old and he gives the look to them I usually know that Im going to have some tattling/ crying later... they are starting to respond to his look and begining to stop annoying him :)

My husband on the other hand can't do the look lol

** I also have the "snap" down. I wont even have to say anything.. just snap my fingers and the kids know to stop. Works great when the kids aren't looking directly at me to give the look!

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

Oh, yes, my look WORKS. But that's because they know what would come next if the look was ignored. I usually don't even need the "look", but when they see it, it's big fat red flag. The last time I used it, I had told all the kids to get their shoes and exit McDonalds. Instead my four-year-old began climbing the wrong way up a slide. I said his name firmly, and when he turned and saw "the look" he immediately climbed down and got his own shoes AND his sister's shoes. I don't think I ever crossed the look or ignored it from either of my parents either. Nooo way. The look usually means you've ignored a warning which means you're on majorly thin ice if you see the look.

3 moms found this helpful

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

I got the look DOWN. In fact, I give other kids the look if they are acting up.

2 moms found this helpful

A.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

Yes. And mostly it works too. But recently I've noticed that my almost 8yr old daughter has almost mastered the look too or is at least trying :( so sometimes it bouces back and then I have to give the "oh, no you didn't" look which is then followed up by her "oh, yes I did ;)" look. And then my "eyeroll" to myself, like how is this starting so early.???!!!

2 moms found this helpful

J.U.

answers from Washington DC on

Sure can. My son can speak and signso, we also use signs to get our point across if the look isn't enough.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Absolutely! One of the best weapons in my arsenal. We also signed with our girls when they were babies, so now we can just sign "stop" or "no" and they get it right away.

1 mom found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Not the look, but I definitely gave the "voice." My kids knew by the change in my tone that I was NOT messing around. And it still works,lol!

1 mom found this helpful

K.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

YES!

I was raised by 'The Look' and it is a skill both myself and my sister have mastered and ALL our kids KNOW it!

Love 'THE LOOK'!

1 mom found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

I give the look, but they just disregard it. You have to have enough actual force to back up a threat.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

Yeah, I still do "the look" even now that my boys are teenagers. After so many years of practice, my left eyebrow goes way up and my boys reflexively sit up straight and get quiet. Then we all crack up.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.M.

answers from Omaha on

I can only give "the look" to my nephews and my son. Its a they stop dead in their fast little steps, sit down, and stare back at me. So funny and half the time I want to laugh.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Seattle on

Sadly, my look works better on my direct reports at work than it does on my 2 year old :(

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

Yes, but I have very smart @ssed kids. They know what it means and know when it happens, but they usually have to stop and ask, "What"? It is less effective on the little one.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.C.

answers from Houston on

Yes it works for a nephew of mine...but only if his parents are not around. If they are he just kinda looks right at me and grins...and continues on with the misbehaving. Grandson...takes a few cause he knows I'm a pushover with him.But my voice is what does it for him.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.N.

answers from New York on

i have the look. and my kids ignore the look. and if i continue giving the look, they turn around so they can continue ignoring the look.
i guess my look is pitiful

1 mom found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Most of the time, but she has to look to see it.

I also have "the voice". I was at a big event just last week and when I said, "WALK!" all the little kids pulled up and started to walk, much to the amusement of our friends.

Our family also uses signs to say "come here/sit/eat/no" that sort of thing.

1 mom found this helpful
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