Being a mom is easier when the kids aren’t around.
I’m kind of stumped as to what to write for my blog(s) this week. See the problem is that I have been on a kid-free vacation since Thursday. My wonderful in-laws came in from Illinois to share the holiday with us. It was great; the turkey was good, the quiet house was even better. See when Nana and Papa come to visit, they get a hotel out in town and take the boys to stay with them for the duration of their trip. Don’t get me wrong, I love my babies to death. But I don’t often get a break from them. Most days I am around them from the time they wake up until the time they go to bed. So a little break every now and then is great. It was amazing, the house stayed almost spotless! I was hoping to get a little more read in my book, The New Strong-Willed Child, but homework was a little more important. I did get a little read on the discipline chapter. Dr. Dobson advises a three step process. 1. Ask nicely. “Adin can you please pick your toys up?” 2. Inform them in a strict tone while slightly gripping their shoulder... “Adin, mommy wants you to pick your toys up right now. Do you understand me?” 3. A firm swat on the bottom. That is considerably different from how we had been doing things. I would always ask Adin about five or six times. And then I would start to get frustrated. And then I would demand that he do as he was told about two or three times. Then he would get a spanking.
Since they boys came home last night, I got to try out this new way of getting Adin to listen to me today. I was quite shocked (and pleased) when I only had to get to step two before he complied. And I only had to even go to step two twice. After that he listened on the first time. I think he is beginning to realize that mommy is done playing. See the thing is, according to Dr. Dobson, that children know their parents breaking point and they will continue to push and push right up to that line. How right he is. I don’t know how many times Adin has stopped and finally listened to me just two seconds before I tear all of my hair out. But with this new discipline technique, we didn’t have that problem at all. In fact, the only time I was really frazzled today was when they decided to paint the living room in apple cinnamon oatmeal. But I guess that is what I get for trying to play on the internet for a few instead of eating breakfast. Maybe that was their way of telling me that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I should be down eating with them? Or maybe they were trying to let me know that they were in much need of some arts and crafts time? Who knows, but all I can hope for is more good days like this. Oh and Adin didn’t pee on any furniture while we were bed shopping. Thank God.
Isn't it amazing how getting new advice (a la Dr. Dobson) really allowed you to attempt something new and get a great response from that attempt? I'm glad you gave it a shot. Maybe also having a few days to yourself helped. I wonder if you could write more about parental vacations. I have been telling my sister for ages now to take a small break, but my comments fall on deaf ears...
Anyways, keep up the writing because you are doing an excellent job!!