holiday magic

We've re-instituted Thing 1's magnet chart (http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Magnetic-Responsibility/dp/B000NTZL7U).  We used to fill up all 7 and even 8 spots, but sometimes he would force us to send him to bed without even talking about his day.  It was getting to the point that we were forgetting or not caring.   Clearly it must be too much for him.  So now we've cut back dramatically (4 areas to work on: Share, Show Respect, Keep Your Hands to Yourself, and No Yelling).  He earned all 4 today, and if he can earn all for the next 2 days, he gets to go on our vacation this weekend.  Fingers crossed...

Don't ask what happens if he doesn't earn all 4.  That's not going to happen, right?  I don't think it's wrong if we remind him preemptively.  "I know you want to go to INSERT RESORT NAME HERE with us on Sunday, so mum and dad know you're going to work extra hard to earn your magnets today!"  The big one to me is No Yelling.  No matter how much we tell him, he thinks he's the boss of Thing 2.  Whenever Thing 2 does something Thing 1 doesn't like (colour on his pictures, crumple up papers, steal favourite seat/toy, etc.), that's when he yells.  I'm rootin' for ya buddy!  You can do it!!


Daddy-O

*flush*

For the record, I love my kids.  But really, are there any bigger money-wasters on this planet than kids (ok, after democratic governments)??  Here's that brand new tube of toothpaste you wanted with SpongeBob on it, since you ate all 1/8 of the plate of food we gave you for dinner.  No, just go right ahead and squeeze the whole bottle into the sink.  That looks like fun.  And people wonder why I don't feel bad about pirating movies or music...

OK, my rant is over.  For now.

Mom is all into her newest Connected Parenting buzzwords: Friendship Moves v. Friendship Blocks.  I get what they're about, and I'm all for being on the same page for consistency's sake, but these terms sound so stupid.  I guess it's not the words, it's the message...


Dad

whoops

I found myself losing patience again this evening during Thing 1's bed time routine.  He was stalling, and I was about to give him an earful.  Mom was right there to help me realize it and I was able to press my "reset" button.  Smooth sailing from that point on.  Patience.  Slow down.  I must keep reminding myself: be patient with them.  Rushing leads to anxiety which leads to anger etc. etc.

cheating the system...

Thing 1 continues to cause us some worries.  His bugging behaviour seems to know no bounds, and though he clearly understands consequences, he doesn't seem to really care or want to change his behaviour patterns to fix the situation.

Case in point: we're planning a 2-day family getaway near X-mas.  It's a place they LOVE and cannot wait to go back to.  But due to some recent behaviour at home, Thing 1 has been told he cannot go with us (not sure what we'll do with him if we follow through, but that's another issue altogether).  When told of this, he was visibly upset (tears, whining, etc.).  He was also told that he now has the opportunity to re-earn his place on our trip.  Did any of this stop him from continuing to pester Thing 2 AND Mom & Dad?  Nope.  Both boys went to bed without stories last night, and we're grasping at straws trying to figure out what to do.  He's going to his doctor soon; I think mom's gonna ask for a referral to a counselor or therapist.  Not sure how she's going to be able to discuss this with our doctor with Thing 1 sitting right there with her, but that's coming up next week, so I guess we'll see...

I thought of chalking all this up to the whole sibling rivalry thing, but he bugs mom and dad just as much.  Perhaps he lashes out at us for giving him a little brother?

We (the parents) definitely have to remain consistent and follow through on any rewards or punishments.

Weekdays usually cause less problems than weekends (due to boredom at home, maybe?), so hopefully this week will see him earn the vacation again...


the Dad

4 days since my last post?? really?

Where does the time go?  This week we got a kindergarten "report card" for Thing 1.  He's doing fine, but there's a section on the back where we parents are supposed to put down our child's strengths.  Ask me any day and I can rhyme off 20 things he's super-good at.  Put me in front of a piece of paper to write them down?  *Blank stare*

Ok, he's great at reading, way ahead of where a 5½ year-old normally is, I'm sure.  But how do you put down things like "knows how to use all the remotes in the house better than mom" or "can point out that you moved his picture frame one inch to the left of where it was last week" or "can become completely fixated and focued on the TV when Jake and the Neverland Pirates is on, to the point where he actually cannot hear anything else"?  I kid, I kid.  Like I was any different as a kid, right?  My cousin used to babysit me, and he always says "you were the easiest kid to babysit; I just put you in front of the TV".  That might explain the unhealthy love affair I have with TV.  But hey, this isn't really supposed to be about me...

Back to Thing 1, I guess I'll have to turn his talents listed above to: loves using technology, very observant, and excellent ability to focus and concentrate...

Ciao!


DD

end of another week...

Ahhhhh...  TGIF.  Bath night!  Also, Thing 1 tried some martial arts class tonight, so Thing 2 got a nice quiet evening at home with Dad.  Some fun, some splashing, some good times and asleep by 8.  Then Thing 1 get home and has his own quiet bedtime.  Another fun filled weekend ahead!

Because of my job & commute, I get very little time with my family during the week.  I really look forward to weekends not just for the time off work, but for th echance to watch my boys play and have fun being kids.  Sometimes I think I should have become a teacher...


DD

must resist the urge to raise my voice...

Perhaps it's my own upbringing, but I guess I'm used to the idea of a parent yelling at their child when they need them to do things like get dressed instead of horsing around.  This mentality needs to change.  When I yell, they pick up on it and soon Thing 1 is yelling at Thing 2, or vice versa.

Thank you to my wife for that reminder this morning.  I need to find a better way of remembering rather than being reminded after the fact (when it's too late).

Yesterday's walk home was so nice.  There was no whining from anyone.  Thing 1 was practising his Holiday Concert song.....very LOUDLY.  Hey, that's what outdoor voices are for!


DD