We seem to have entered the 'no!... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ... ok time out' zone. Not sure if the kids even know what's going on! I am such a total softie. I stand there with the kid, they are crying and maybe stamping feet and all I want to do is sweep them up and cuddle them.
DH has turned into Robocop. Halt! Freeze! NO!
I've seen kids with no self discipline and no boundaries (hey I live in NYC) so I know what happens to kids with parents like me. I know. But still. Damn it's hard.
The snatching is doing my head in. One twin will be playing with something and the other snatches it. Whaaaaa. Reverse and repeat ad nausea. STOP IT!!!!
OK mum time out for yelling.
My friend has offered us his fancy new home in the Hudson Valley over July 4th. I really want to accept but these guys are in the beginnings of category 2 toddlerdom.
Guess I should really start setting boundaries with these kids!! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
DH has turned into Robocop. Halt! Freeze! NO!
I've seen kids with no self discipline and no boundaries (hey I live in NYC) so I know what happens to kids with parents like me. I know. But still. Damn it's hard.
The snatching is doing my head in. One twin will be playing with something and the other snatches it. Whaaaaa. Reverse and repeat ad nausea. STOP IT!!!!
OK mum time out for yelling.
My friend has offered us his fancy new home in the Hudson Valley over July 4th. I really want to accept but these guys are in the beginnings of category 2 toddlerdom.
Guess I should really start setting boundaries with these kids!! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
They are getting to that age - seeking more independence, develeping preferences, testing boundaries. We are in the full throes of it here with Scout.
ReplyDeleteI use the SuperNanny method - give a warning ("Do NOT throw things at the dogs. IF you do it again, you will go stand in your Naughty Spot.") followed by a gentle but firm walk by the hand to the Naughty Spot when he immediately hurls his shoe at the closest dog. I set the oven timer for 2 minutes and tell him he cannot come out of his corner until he hears the "beep-beep-beep." Let me tell you, if he cries, my heart breaks. I cannot face him because my face will betray my heart. Or he'll say "Mama, all done. Sorry, Mama." That really puts my heart over the edge. But still, we BOTH wait anxiously for the beep-beep-beep. Then I remind him why I put him in the Naughty Spot and we hug and kiss and go back to playing.
It's hard. For sure. But I know it is teaching him that I, as the parent, get to set boundaries and teaching him to trust me - that I will follow through on what I threaten. It is also teaching him that his punishments are fair and do not involve anger or grudges. We immediately make up afterward and all is well. So, although it's difficult on the heart, I know that there are actually benefits to discipling him.
Take up your friend on the house offer. You have 2 toddlers, people understand.