I have a couple friends who occasionally ask me for parenting advice? Why, you ask? Well, clearly I am a superb parenting specimen. And so I present my first ever lesson on parenting 101:
1. When you are about to lose your mind with your kids for one reason or another and you feel like running full speed at the nearest wall and knocking yourself unconscious just for the peace and quiet, I recommend a different approach. Why not jump up and down, screaming at the top of your lungs like a 2-year old throwing a temper tantrum. It makes you feel loads better, not at all like an out-of-control idiot. Especially, when you realize after the fact that your kid's friend was standing at the front door to witness such an outburst!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Big Girl Bed
Avery got a big girl bed yesterday (which at this point consists of a twin mattress on the floor). She couldn't be more excited!
My plan was to build anticipation of the new bed, by not letting her sleep in it until this weekend. That way she'd really be excited to sleep in it and we could all sleep in the next day since I anticipated a rough transition.
Daddy couldn't help himself. Avery was so excited, that he wanted to put her in it last night. And, so we're off!
She laid down well enough at 8pm, but it didn't take long before she figured out that she had a lot more freedom. As expected, she got out of the bed several thousand times and we put her back each time. Sometimes she cried, but mostly she just thought it was a fun game!
She finally fell asleep around 10p. At 11p, she fell out of bed (this is why it's on the floor!). From 11-12a, Matt and I took took turns putting her back in her bed another couple thousand times. From 12a on I don't think Matt or I got out of bed. She would come into our room and we would send her back to bed. We assumed that she was actually going back to bed. At some point around 1a she stopped coming in. Ahhh, sweet sleep.
Needless to say, I turned off my 5a alarm and went back to sleep. Matt woke me up at 5:45a. I assume she was in her bed, Matt checked on her and pulled her door shut. I haven't had the courage to open it.
I can only imagine what a good day it's going to be! Mostly, I'm looking forward to nap time! Can you smell the sarcasm?
My plan was to build anticipation of the new bed, by not letting her sleep in it until this weekend. That way she'd really be excited to sleep in it and we could all sleep in the next day since I anticipated a rough transition.
Daddy couldn't help himself. Avery was so excited, that he wanted to put her in it last night. And, so we're off!
She laid down well enough at 8pm, but it didn't take long before she figured out that she had a lot more freedom. As expected, she got out of the bed several thousand times and we put her back each time. Sometimes she cried, but mostly she just thought it was a fun game!
She finally fell asleep around 10p. At 11p, she fell out of bed (this is why it's on the floor!). From 11-12a, Matt and I took took turns putting her back in her bed another couple thousand times. From 12a on I don't think Matt or I got out of bed. She would come into our room and we would send her back to bed. We assumed that she was actually going back to bed. At some point around 1a she stopped coming in. Ahhh, sweet sleep.
Needless to say, I turned off my 5a alarm and went back to sleep. Matt woke me up at 5:45a. I assume she was in her bed, Matt checked on her and pulled her door shut. I haven't had the courage to open it.
I can only imagine what a good day it's going to be! Mostly, I'm looking forward to nap time! Can you smell the sarcasm?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Essays
One of our favorite new punishments for Elliot (thank you Dr. Ray) is to have Elliot write essays. It's a great punishment because it provides time for reflection on the part of the child. It's also great for parents because we get proof that our kids really know how to behave even though sometimes they choose otherwise. Most importantly, it makes for good reading! I'll share some favorites.
On Our Family's Roles and Responsibilities (150 Words)
Mom's role is to go to the grocery, make us all breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is very important that mom does this because or else we would not have any food to eat for life.
Dad's role is to go to work to get most of the money we need to pay bills, pay for groceries, and for anything else we might need in life.
Mom and Dad are both in charge of the house. They tell Avery and I what to do. They are adults and we're just kids. They are our parents, we follow their rules and they tell us what to do. Avery and I have to follow their rules because if Avery or I disobey what they have told us to do we will get in big trouble, and still have to do it.
Avery and mine are to follow any directions they give me or Avery in the whole time we live.
On How To Treat Mom (100 words)
Dear Mom, I am sorry about my behavior and my words. I have not been nice to you lately or done the right thing.
I have had bad mornings lately and bad afternoons. It is a bad idea to treat you like that because you are my mom. You tell me what to do, and I love you a lot. It is also a bad idea because you are the boss, and I should listen and do the right thing and treat you like I want to be treated. I love you and you are the best mom ever.
Next time I should tell you what I want and we could settle it during breakfast.
On How To Respond When Mom or Dad Give a Direction (150 Words)
When Mom and Dad call me I should say I am coming then should come as soon as I start talking. (I should ask what Mom or Dad want.) When I find out what they want I say, "Yes, sir or yes, mam." When they say what they want from me I should do what they say immediately. After I do what they ask I should ask if there is anything else I could do to help. If they say there is, I should say, "like what?" If they say there is not any work to do I should say, "ok" and not bother them again. My behavior on Sun was really bad! When Mom called and said, "we have to go because Avery is fussy." I said, "No!" I should of said, "Yes, Mam," then came I would not be grounded.
On Our Family's Roles and Responsibilities (150 Words)
Mom's role is to go to the grocery, make us all breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is very important that mom does this because or else we would not have any food to eat for life.
Dad's role is to go to work to get most of the money we need to pay bills, pay for groceries, and for anything else we might need in life.
Mom and Dad are both in charge of the house. They tell Avery and I what to do. They are adults and we're just kids. They are our parents, we follow their rules and they tell us what to do. Avery and I have to follow their rules because if Avery or I disobey what they have told us to do we will get in big trouble, and still have to do it.
Avery and mine are to follow any directions they give me or Avery in the whole time we live.
On How To Treat Mom (100 words)
Dear Mom, I am sorry about my behavior and my words. I have not been nice to you lately or done the right thing.
I have had bad mornings lately and bad afternoons. It is a bad idea to treat you like that because you are my mom. You tell me what to do, and I love you a lot. It is also a bad idea because you are the boss, and I should listen and do the right thing and treat you like I want to be treated. I love you and you are the best mom ever.
Next time I should tell you what I want and we could settle it during breakfast.
On How To Respond When Mom or Dad Give a Direction (150 Words)
When Mom and Dad call me I should say I am coming then should come as soon as I start talking. (I should ask what Mom or Dad want.) When I find out what they want I say, "Yes, sir or yes, mam." When they say what they want from me I should do what they say immediately. After I do what they ask I should ask if there is anything else I could do to help. If they say there is, I should say, "like what?" If they say there is not any work to do I should say, "ok" and not bother them again. My behavior on Sun was really bad! When Mom called and said, "we have to go because Avery is fussy." I said, "No!" I should of said, "Yes, Mam," then came I would not be grounded.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
