As all of you know, getting kids and teens to do anything is a challenge. Talking at them, demanding, insisting, pleading, nagging or explaining why we want them to do something is a waste of time. When it comes to elastic wear, I’ve tried an incredible number of tricks and techniques over the years but have not found something that works consistently until now. As you know I’m a big fan of effective scripting. Lately I’ve been having particularly good luck getting kids to wear elastics by saying the following:
“It’s time for rubber bands. Now you get to help us help you! The thing to remember about rubber bands is that you have two choices. Rubber bands or Bucky Beaver!” I’ll tell the patient.
“What do you mean?” They always ask so I explain.
“Rubber bands aren’t the most fun thing in the world and you’ll be a little sore for the first few days but when you think about quitting or think about not wearing them just remember – rubber bands or Bucky Beaver. Which do you think you’ll choose?”
“Rubber bands!” They always say emphatically.
And they actually wear the elastics most of the time in most cases. This scripting tool is turning out to be as effective as my all time favorite scripting that we discussed in Don’t Piss Momma Off.
If you are reasonably good at bracket placement then compliance is the biggest factor when it comes to the quality of the cases you produce and the time it takes to do so. The trick with compliance, especially with kids and teens, is to get them to see what’s in it for them. They don’t care what we think or what we want!
Have a great weekend.