At least it's after lunch.
And, the sad part is I was without Little Belle for 4 hours this mornings, but the MINUTE she sees me it's like she flips on her whiny switch. People who watch her tell me she's so sweet and listens and I'm SO thankful for that, but why do I get the short end of the stick? Me. The one who makes sure her snack cup is full, her drink is cold, and her toys are fun all the while looking like I just ran a marathon (which is how I feel).
I'm exhausted.
It seems like just about every other aspect of parenting I have had such confidence in what to do. If she is about to hurt herself or someone else (or does hurt someone else which rarely happens), we go to the chart, talk about the characteristics and if it continues she gets spanked (yep, we do that.) Or if it's blatant disobedience we do the same thing. But, with whining I canNOT come up with a consequence that will help it to stop. I don't feel justified in spanking her when she whines (although I'm to the point where I'm open to that idea). So, I've put her in a timeout. Last week she put HERSELF in a timeout. So, that must be affective. I've put her in her room, and she just screamed and screamed. I put her in her bed telling her she must be so tired if she's whining, and that was 2 hours ago. She's still up there kicking her bed, jumping in her bed, and making herself gag (seriously, who does that?).
And, let me describe the whining. It's not like she's whining to GET something. She's literally talking in a whiny voice. So, the obvious is to not give her something when she asks in a whiny voice, but that's not always the case. Sometimes she talks in a whiny voice and then smirks because she knows it drives me nuts.
I talk with her about whining like she's one of my 7th graders, so that clearly isn't going to register with her little 2 year old brain. It sure makes me feel better though, because I just pretend like she's comprehending all that I say.
With all of that said, I'm looking for ANY advice or tips to help me deal with this road block in parenting. I've been praying about it and praying about it, and it's time I solicit some advice from other moms (or dads) who have done something that seems to work. I know all kids are different, but I just need another tool to at least try.
Showing posts with label raising the kiddos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label raising the kiddos. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Fruits of the Spirit Discipline
A little break from the soapy water, pledge, and windex...
I have a particular friend who has great practical things to use to help her little girl understand right from wrong. I love hanging out with her and picking her brain about parenting. She will tell you that she gets her information from dear friends who have a bit older kids. Isn't is awesome to have friends like this?
Our goal is to parent Olivia, so that she will continue to grow in her desire to be like Jesus. When I first introduced this chart to Olivia, she was so excited. I guess that's a good reaction. As a visual learner myself, I just assume my kids will be as well. The conversation goes something like this:
A behavior is happening that you don't approve of, so you pick 'em up and take them to the chart.
Me:Olivia, you are whining. (point to whining on the chart) What color is whining?
O: RED one
Me: Whining is in the red one, and we don't want to be in the red one. Where do we want to be?
O: YEYO one
Me: Yes, we want to be joyful and loving. (pointing to the words when you say them)
8/10 times that's as far as I have to go with regards to discipline. If she continues to whine (or whatever), I take her to the chart and go through it again and then provide a consequence.
It has really seemed to work for us, and I love having words to say readily available at each time of discipline. I like categorizing her behaviors and providing an opposite more Jesus-like characteristic to teach her about. As she gets older these behaviors in red will change, and the conversations will get a little more in depth. But, for now, I think she's getting it as much as a 2 year old can get it. And, it provides a conversation each time she does something we don't approve of.
I have a particular friend who has great practical things to use to help her little girl understand right from wrong. I love hanging out with her and picking her brain about parenting. She will tell you that she gets her information from dear friends who have a bit older kids. Isn't is awesome to have friends like this?
Our goal is to parent Olivia, so that she will continue to grow in her desire to be like Jesus. When I first introduced this chart to Olivia, she was so excited. I guess that's a good reaction. As a visual learner myself, I just assume my kids will be as well. The conversation goes something like this:
A behavior is happening that you don't approve of, so you pick 'em up and take them to the chart.
Me:Olivia, you are whining. (point to whining on the chart) What color is whining?
O: RED one
Me: Whining is in the red one, and we don't want to be in the red one. Where do we want to be?
O: YEYO one
Me: Yes, we want to be joyful and loving. (pointing to the words when you say them)
8/10 times that's as far as I have to go with regards to discipline. If she continues to whine (or whatever), I take her to the chart and go through it again and then provide a consequence.
It has really seemed to work for us, and I love having words to say readily available at each time of discipline. I like categorizing her behaviors and providing an opposite more Jesus-like characteristic to teach her about. As she gets older these behaviors in red will change, and the conversations will get a little more in depth. But, for now, I think she's getting it as much as a 2 year old can get it. And, it provides a conversation each time she does something we don't approve of.
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