First of all, and completely unrelated to this post, I was just thinking about how I should really pay more attention to the weather. Apparently it's supposed to get yucky around here later and I had no idea. I tend to take the weather as it comes, unless it's a hurricane, because I will ALWAYS be first in line to buy water and batteries in the case of a hurricane. Seriously. But anyway, as I was noticing that there were already cancellations and early dismissals being posted I thought "hmm.. I wonder when it will start". As it turns out, it already did. I could have saved myself a whole thought by simply looking out the window. Yet another lesson learned. Check.
Now back to the fact that my kids are parrots. Maggie not so much because she can't say a whole lot yet, but she is VERY good at mimicking tone. As in reprimanding her brothers in a growly voice. Not that we ever need to yell at our children because they are so full of "listening ears" and respect all the time. But on the chance that we may raise our voices, or heaven forbid for them, lower them (that is the worst possible sign that I am not just a little angry with you, but a lot) she's right on it. She'll stand at the top of the stairs and call them to dinner too which is hilarious to listen to. She is really progressing in her language so it's super cute to see what words she chooses to try.
Evan has come leaps and bounds with his speech in the last few months. We will have him evaluated this spring because I know he needs it, but for now we (his family) can understand most of what he says. He is my most vocal parrot. I will ask him to do something and he very nonchalantly responds with "in a minute". Hmm.. sounds familiar. He loves to watch Wipeout and it is on TruTV a couple of nights a week. If you've ever seen that channel you know that Wipeout is the only show on it that is remotely appropriate for children. So whenever Evan is checking to see if it's on and it isn't I'll hear "Nope. Can't watch that. It's an adult show. We don't watch adult shows. Need to change the channel".
Braeden likes to be in charge so he is most likely to be telling the other two what to do. "If you don't finish your supper Evan, you don't get dessert. Sorry". If he's in the middle of something, "I'll help you when I'm done". Such a mini-adult sometimes. He's also become quite liberal with his use of "in a minute". I used to do everything they asked when they asked so that I could be a great mom. (laugh, it's okay) Then I started realizing I couldn't indulge them immediately all the time, so I started saying, "in a minute" and "I'll help you when I'm done".. Sounds familiar. I knew it would come back to get me.
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Monday, January 28, 2013
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Enough Already
We've had quite a bit of rain here lately. For kids who like to be outside and have had the pleasure of good weather since about March, that meant several days in a row of mostly indoor play. I don't know about you, but in our house, that almost always leads to discontent and fighting.
My boys reached a point yesterday where I had to make a decision about whether or not to take a stand against what I deemed was beyond my grey area (expected acting out due to circumstances) of tolerable bad behavior. So shortly after they got into the bathtub, the fighting began again. They were both so tired already that they had barely even touched their supper. Braeden just kept asking to eat later and go rest for a while. Sorry my friend, we don't nap at 5:30 around here. So I pushed them to stay at the table which was mostly for my own sense of control because neither of them ate anything more than they had at the beginning of the meal. Eventually, when Maggie was done and ready for the bath, the boys moved to the bathroom for bath time too. As soon as I walked away to get Maggie in her pajamas, I heard the same old sound of arguing and fighting. No longer willing to give them any leeway, I took both of them out of the tub, got them in their jammies and into bed. It was 6:10. I expected a much bigger resistance, but both boys crawled into bed, cried in protest for a few minutes and were asleep by 6:21. Apparently they had had enough of yesterday as well. Might as well go to sleep and try again in the morning.
It was very funny to hear them talking to each other when they woke up this morning.
B: Did you go to sleep and stay in your bed all night?
E: Yes
B: I did too. Mom came to check us though, to make sure we were okay. She said she would.
I think I made an impression. And even though they knew that they had pushed me past my limits and gotten themselves into some pretty hot water, they were still able to rest assured that they could trust me to check on them to make sure they were okay. That makes my heart happy and is a reminder that none of these lessons are for not. I hope my kids know that I do what I do because I love them and I'm trying to teach them to be kind, loving children who will grow up to be kind, loving and responsible adults. They know when they have crossed the line and are usually careful to stay within the boundaries, even if they are pushing them a little. But still, days like that make me question my parenting. Am I giving them too much room? Do they understand that what they are doing to each other is hurtful? Or is that just how it is with brothers? I try to maintain a sense of routine and a clear set of rules in our house. If you don't meet the expectations, there are consequences, as was clear last night. My job is to care for their well-being, make sure they are, and feel, safe, and that they always know, every minute of every day how much I love them.
I am hopeful for a brighter forecast or I'm just going to start letting them play outside in the rain. On the upside though, I had a night of peace and quiet that never happens in our house. Roman and I were able to watch a 3 hour movie and still be done by 10:30. That never happens! It's too soon to tell if last night will have any effect on future behavior because Braeden has been at school and a play date today so they haven't had a chance to be together except for before school. But I am optimistic that they might think twice before they start at it this afternoon. If not, well then I guess it's another early night in bed.
My boys reached a point yesterday where I had to make a decision about whether or not to take a stand against what I deemed was beyond my grey area (expected acting out due to circumstances) of tolerable bad behavior. So shortly after they got into the bathtub, the fighting began again. They were both so tired already that they had barely even touched their supper. Braeden just kept asking to eat later and go rest for a while. Sorry my friend, we don't nap at 5:30 around here. So I pushed them to stay at the table which was mostly for my own sense of control because neither of them ate anything more than they had at the beginning of the meal. Eventually, when Maggie was done and ready for the bath, the boys moved to the bathroom for bath time too. As soon as I walked away to get Maggie in her pajamas, I heard the same old sound of arguing and fighting. No longer willing to give them any leeway, I took both of them out of the tub, got them in their jammies and into bed. It was 6:10. I expected a much bigger resistance, but both boys crawled into bed, cried in protest for a few minutes and were asleep by 6:21. Apparently they had had enough of yesterday as well. Might as well go to sleep and try again in the morning.
It was very funny to hear them talking to each other when they woke up this morning.
B: Did you go to sleep and stay in your bed all night?
E: Yes
B: I did too. Mom came to check us though, to make sure we were okay. She said she would.
I think I made an impression. And even though they knew that they had pushed me past my limits and gotten themselves into some pretty hot water, they were still able to rest assured that they could trust me to check on them to make sure they were okay. That makes my heart happy and is a reminder that none of these lessons are for not. I hope my kids know that I do what I do because I love them and I'm trying to teach them to be kind, loving children who will grow up to be kind, loving and responsible adults. They know when they have crossed the line and are usually careful to stay within the boundaries, even if they are pushing them a little. But still, days like that make me question my parenting. Am I giving them too much room? Do they understand that what they are doing to each other is hurtful? Or is that just how it is with brothers? I try to maintain a sense of routine and a clear set of rules in our house. If you don't meet the expectations, there are consequences, as was clear last night. My job is to care for their well-being, make sure they are, and feel, safe, and that they always know, every minute of every day how much I love them.
I am hopeful for a brighter forecast or I'm just going to start letting them play outside in the rain. On the upside though, I had a night of peace and quiet that never happens in our house. Roman and I were able to watch a 3 hour movie and still be done by 10:30. That never happens! It's too soon to tell if last night will have any effect on future behavior because Braeden has been at school and a play date today so they haven't had a chance to be together except for before school. But I am optimistic that they might think twice before they start at it this afternoon. If not, well then I guess it's another early night in bed.
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