I've been void of blog fodder lately. Yeah, the baby's been doing some cute things, but when I don't have pictures to go with it, well...ya know...there are only just so many baby stories to tell before you know that people will start dropping like flies.
On the home front, we're working on a better balance for ourselves. Our weekends are not refreshing...or recharging...or re-energizing. They are a leech on what little energy and sense of self we have left after 5 days of a strict work week routine. And it has to change. We'll be tag teaming more on the weekend so that each of us gets some alone time. We will be getting out Saturday evening or Sunday morning and going to church. It's good for our souls...it's good to have contact with other adults...it's good for K'man to have other little kids to play with for 45 minutes.
As for our little guy, he's 15.5 months old. He's learning new words and expanding his sense of the world every day. He has so many teeth and will bite you with them if you stick your finger up to his mouth trying to take a peek at his chompers. Hubby and I are still unsure as how much discipline this little guy needs. He understands "no". That is MORE than clear. At times, you can tell him "no" and he'll stop what he's doing. Or, conversely, you can offer him a drink of water and if he doesn't want it, he'll tell you "no". What's frustrating is the things that he does where he doesn't respond to "no". Our biggest sticking point right now is the tv. He loves to go and touch the buttons on it. You can tell him no and he will stand there deliberating about whether or not to touch it. So, when he does and you, consequently, tell him no and then go to physically remove him from proximity of the tv - he grins and takes off. Then we scoop him up and go over to the time-out mat, where he proceeds to throw a real fit and scream and cry while we sit there and hold him (just making sure he doesn't get up off the mat) for a count of one minute. When the time is up, we calmly walk away, he grins, hops up, and dashes right back to the tv. And we will do this over and over and over. I've even done time-out in the pack and play and it's like he still thinks he "wins" once he's removed and allowed back in the play area. So, what gives? Any ideas?
I also finally figured out what I want to do with our bedroom, so I should have posts in the next few weeks showcasing before and after.
2 comments:
Ugh, Deanna. That is a tough age.
Honestly, time outs didn't work for Stink at that age either. Unless I physically held him there, which is pointless.
I asked the ped, and she suggested putting his toys in time out instead.
Can you tell she doesn't have kids.
Like, yea right, that won't work.
So, I pulled out the playpen. He couldn't climb out at that age. So, when he was naughty, he was given a warning and removed from whatever he was doing. If he went back, he went into the playpen. Just empty. No pillow, blanket, toy, etc. At first, he tried to climb out but after finding he couldn't do it, he settled in for his punishment.
Hopefully that helps.
However, be prepared....because once again, time outs are not working. And he will be 3! Plus, he can climb out of the playpen very easily. So at this moment, I am at a loss.
Although I often wondered if I could turn it upside down like a jail cell :)
Good for you for realizing you need time to yourselves! And to make church a priority.
Don't know how to help you w/ the wee one, though... When Boo (2 now) does that with something (and don't you hate that grin they give you when they KNOW it'll bring a reaction??), he gets a stern NO. Then he's removed. Then when he comes back a time or two, he gets a strong flick in the cheek. I generally only save "flicks" for serious offenses - playing with stove dials, putting fingers in electric sockets, grabbing a knife off the counter. I know many people would strongly disagree with that one though.
Best of luck to you!!
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