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The Two-Question Rule

"You get two questions. Ask them now", and the loop ends on your terms.

Ages 4–93–8 min1 kidsHousehold items

Before leaving the room, offer the child two questions. Anything at all. They must ask both right now. After that, questions are done for the night. Most children choose carefully, ask both, and feel satisfied by having a genuine allocation rather than an arbitrary 'enough.'

How to do it

  1. 1"You have two questions. What are they?"
  2. 2Answer both seriously and completely. Give each one its due.
  3. 3'That's your two. Good night.'
  4. 4Hold the limit warmly but without hesitation. A third question gets: 'That one's for tomorrow.'

Variations

  • **Korb-Tür:** If they want three or keep asking: "That's your two. Anything else is for tomorrow." Warm but immovable.
  • **Ausstieg:** After answering both: "That's your two. Good night." Leave immediately. No extension.

💡 Parent tip

Take both questions seriously. If you dismiss them, the rule loses its credibility. The agreement works precisely because the questions are genuinely answered.

What your child develops

  • Prioritisation — child must evaluate which questions actually matter most right now
  • Predictability — a known limit is less anxiety-provoking than an arbitrary cutoff
  • Executive function — managing a finite resource within a clear constraint

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