Every 'no' and our preschooler announces she's moving to her grandmother's house

teal_pool_200911 Apr 2026

It started after a weekend at my parents' place. Now any refusal, a second ice cream or a later bath, gets the same reply: 'Then I'll go and live with Ammamma.' Last night she packed her water bottle and a hairband into a cloth bag and stood at the door. My partner laughs, which she clearly enjoys. I've been calmly saying 'okay, we'll miss you', and she seems disappointed by that. Is there a better response, or does this fade on its own?

1 comment

peach_balcony_847012 Apr 2026
Arre, this is a classic. Mine used to threaten to go to her nani's, which is a flight away. I think your 'okay, we'll miss you' is the right answer, it takes the drama out. Once she asked me to book the ticket, I said fine, which ticket, and she unpacked in ten minutes.
- teal_pool_200912 Apr 2026
  Asking for the ticket is a stage I am not ready for. Good to know the calm answer worked for you.
- juniper_lantern_544912 Apr 2026
  Replying to @teal_pool_2009
  Wait till she's older. My chinna vadu is a teenager and still threatens to move to his ammamma's whenever we switch the wifi off at night. The only difference is that now he knows the bus route.