Children at this stage often want a genuine part in the decision, but too many open questions can exhaust them. Instead of “What do you want to do?” offer two choices you can both live with: “Books first, or shoes in their place first?”nnDo not turn the choice into an endless negotiation. Give a short thinking pause, then help with the first move. If neither option is chosen, say calmly, “I will choose today; you can choose tomorrow.” The boundary stays clear while agency remains real.
Try today: choose one recurring transition—bath time or toy tidy-up—and use the same two choices each day.