I remember my midwife gave me an article while I was pregnant that said something like this. It was definitely true for me; while the baby blues have been gone a while now, I know postpartum depression holds many of us in its clenches. When I saw this article, I thought I’d share:
We talk to toys…and bedding…and writing utensils August 18, 2009
One strategy that has always worked well for our toddlers is to talk to the toys- toys at home, at church, at the store.
“Levi- tell the bunny: thanks for letting me hold you. Stay with your bunny family on the shelf. See you next time we come to the store.”
“Tell blanket: stay here, blanket. I’ll come back for naptime.” (I can’t believe he does this- blanket is very special).
“Put that baby to bed, Sam. She’s too tired to go to the park- then we give her a few minutes to tuck baby in and hire a babysitter.” (She couldn’t possibly leave the baby alone!)
“Put those lids on the markers so they don’t dry out waiting for you. Tell them: Stay in the box, markers. We’ll use you tomorrow.”
So we sound like morons, but it makes life easier. Maybe it will work for your family.
Matt’s Bathroom Etiquette August 17, 2009
After seeing my response to a Facebook poll, Matt said he wanted to make something known: The toilet paper should come out over the roll, and he is happy to leave the seat down.
Well….I suppose I’ve been informed.
Tabletime 1 August 12, 2009
This first method has been in use for quite a while since it works so well. We have a “stoplight” picture on our wall near the kitchen table, along with a paperclip that moves to align with the green, yellow, or red circles. To the side we’ve written three rules: Be kind, Stay in your seat, Use an inside voice.
When the children arrive at the table (just Sam, in this case), the paperclip is on green. When a rule is broken, they are warned; if another rule is broken, the paperclip is moved to the yellow circle, and a child is asked to leave the table for a few minutes until he/she is invited to return.
If the prodigal child offends again, the snack or meal is over for her/him(yes, even if they haven’t eaten much). When we first started this, I found myself saying, “We’ll be sure to have a big breakfast in the morning.” (Sam almost never gets sent away at any other meal, but she’s tired at dinner).
Anyway, this saved us a lot of frustration in our house from saying, “Sit down please; come back to the table please,” etc, etc. She hasn’t been sent away in a while.
New section August 11, 2009
You’ve seen my child labor posts; now I’d like to do a whole parenting section. This will appear in the list of categories to the right, and include any child labor we’re forcing on the children, articles I find helpful in getting me through, and any methods of discipline we attempt. I’d love to include stuff from my readers as well; so if you’ve tried something with success (or something that flopped miserably), please let us know either in the comments section. Happy parenting….
Happily Ever After August 10, 2009
Meet hot guy in high school
After long wait, marry hot guy
Have hot guy’s kids (3 of them)
Win high stakes rock paper scissors against hot guy
Watch hot guy fish bath toys out of toilet (he lost rock paper scissors)
Still thinkin’ hot guy is pretty hot- now that, people, is Happily Ever After!
