This Magic Parenting Phrase Keeps Toddlers From Touching Everything

Toddlers are naturally curious—touching, exploring, and boundary-testing every chance they get. While their wonder at the world is endearing, it can be challenging in the moment to explain why certain things are off-limits. Often, a simple “no” isn’t enough to deter their tiny, determined hands.

Enter TikTok creator Kelsey Pomeroy of @kelsewhatelse, whose now-viral parenting hack offers a clever and effective solution for those sticky situations. In her video, Pomeroy shares how she uses the term “working” to help her children understand why some things should be left undisturbed. The idea is simple but genius: explaining that an item has a job to do resonates with young kids in a way that “no” often doesn’t.

“I use this phrase weekly in my house, and it leads to a lot of great conversations as to the purpose of certain things!” Pomeroy captioned her video explaining the technique. “I tell my kids that some rocks are working rocks, or working flowers, or working buttons when I need them to be hands-off.”

For instance, she explains that while she doesn’t mind her kids playing with rocks, throwing them into the grass is a no-go because “those rocks have a job to do! They need to stay on the path.” Similarly, at a botanical garden, Pomeroy might explain that while wildflowers at home are fair game for picking, these are “working flowers” with an important job to do.

The approach not only sets boundaries but also encourages curiosity and dialogue. “Using this method also opens up a lot of great discussions about what the intended purpose for some items are,” Pomeroy notes. “It’s hard for kids to differentiate between what is off limits and what is within the limits of play, so I find that using the word ‘working’ helps them understand what items have jobs and what items don’t.”

Pomeroy explains that the inspiration for this hack actually came out of an interaction with a service dog. “I originally got this idea while I was explaining to my son why he shouldn’t ask to pet a companion or assistance dog. I explained that the dog had a job to do and that they were a working dog, and that we don’t want to distract them from their important job,” Pomeroy shares. “My son got it so quickly and from then on would easily understand the difference between a working dog and a pet dog. I then started applying the word ‘working’ to other things and it has worked like magic!”