magic 1-2-3

No one likes having something taken away without warning.

No one likes to be rushed or taken away from something enjoyable.

And this is especially true for kids.

Our littlest loves to play with all things "not his" right now.

{think: cell phone, brother's toothbrush, stapler, pens, toothpaste, computer mouse, iPod... }

And he likes to have his own time about it too.

Sometimes I don't mind him playing with the "not his" things but other times

{like when he changes all the settings on my phone}

I have the urge to rip the item out of his hands but if I choose that tactic...

Screaming.

Death grip.

Alligator tears.

Which, on one hand I think is par for the course at his age but then I think to my self,

"Self, what is this doing to his limbic system and what is this really communicating to him?"

So, we have instituted the 1-2-3 method and it goes a little something like this:

[Insert Name],

I am going to count to 3 and then I need you to hand me the [cell phone].

Your fingers are too clever and you keep changing the settings on my phone.

Ready?

1-2-3

Incidentally, we are going on 6 years of use with our oldest and this method has diverted numerous tantrums and power struggles in times of transition.

{think: stores, parks, to/from school, play dates, turns with toys, bath time, bedtime dawdles...}

When he was 4, he asked, "can you change the number to 5?"

Done.

{1-2-3-4-5}

Mission Accomplished.

Sometimes there are tears.

Sometimes someone runs away with a giggle and a smile.

Sometimes an abrupt removal is still employed.

but 

there has been fair warning

and 

the parent-child hierarchy is preserved

all the while allowing both parties to share control of the situation.

Win-Win.

What "tricks" do you use?