I'm pretty stern when I think something should be done and resort to the 'parental dictatorship mantra' quite often. My son questions and second-guesses
everything.As stated, my house, my rules. Doesn't keep the kids from trying to get away with stuff, but in addition to 'because I said so', I also have eyes in the back of my head.
As to what does it accomplish-actually more than saying something over and over..."Clean up those toys!" Why?" "Because I SAID SO". They already know the rules. Explaining over and over and over does nothing but delay whatever it is they didn't want to do, so cut to the chase.
How you reacted to your parents probably has to do with more than one simple phrase.