Here is a very simple conversation illustrating how a little strategic hesitation can be a tremendous asset as a parent:
D-: Ow! She hurt my forehead!
M-: (laughs)
D-: It's not funny!
M-: (laughs)
D-: (laughs)
M-: (laughs more)
All this went on without my saying a word, as I went about my business cleaning in the bathroom (putting stuff away, not actually cleaning the bathroom, mind you-- fear not) and generally continuing to be productive.*
* During M-'s nap time, for example, D- and I even mounted a curtain rod and finally hung the curtains in our bedroom. Using a real drill and screwdrivers, and everything! Pat, pat, pat.
02 July 2008
A conversation between M- & D-: Pain = funny
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13 comments:
I try to let my kids work things out as much as possible. Usually, I don't step in unless it looks like my son is going to karate chop my daughter (thanks you Kung Fu Panda).
Kudos on the curtains! Look out Bob Villa! ;)
i love letting the kids work things out. most of the time they can handle it. most of the time i can ignore them. of course when one starts chasing the other one around the house i usually intervene. usually.
Two jobs in one day? Did you rest afterwards?
I'm glad D gave up on wanting justice for his head bonk. And good to know girls can find a little slapstick humor funny sometimes.
I love it when the skirmishes are small enough to be ignored; doesn't often happen at my house, but every once in awhile....and hey, great job on the curtain rods!
I'm impressed with your manly use of power tools. Please tell me they were some manly curtins...
I have one simple rule in my house (the others are far more complicated) and that is...no tattle-telling.
If they can't resolve the issue themselves (since mine's an only child, this refers to her friends and I believe this is the only time you can use this since you can't kick your kids out of the house...I think!) then her friend has to go home.
For any new kids that come over, this is the first thing I tell them before they start playing.
Works every time.
Two household tasks in one day! Boy, someone's internet service must have conked out! That's the only way I get stuff done around here, anymore. Dang blogs.
Hey, I've bestowed an award upon you and your blog. Go by my place and pick it up!
We usually say 'whatever you do don't laugh' and that usually ends whatever the 'thing' was about in the first place...
if hat doesn't work...tickling usually does
I can tell your blog will be intriguing...nice, calm, laid-back SAHD behavior vs. my looong 10 years as a SAHM. I have to say, I think the way I handle things depends on if it's during a school year (when they are gone all day), or during the summer. Like now. The smallest bickering starts and the words, "Knock it off" are out of my mouth before I even realize I spoke. Kids with me all day = short fuse. You WILL prove that I can be an awful Mom!
Rikki: I wonder about going to see that movie, because we have it bad enough as it is with all the ninja/gun/superhero/random punching from no particular movie or show. I guess you could say it was an immaculate conception of violence in his brain.
I'd say look out Norm Abram, because all Bob Vila does is watch other people do all the work. Which doesn't sound have bad, actually...
Natalie: You and me both, sister. Sometimes J- or I will point out to the other that the kids are running/etc. when we had previously been spacing out, and then that somehow means that now one of us has to say something about it.
Mary: I didn't get to rest, because my third job of mounting retractable shades in the kids' room got complicated and needed followup later. But it's paid off in kids sleeping later already.
Kori: I can tell already that as kids get older, nothing is not a big deal. Everything requires federal intervention and documentation. And thanks, I've only just now recovered from the exertion.
MamaNeena: Well, actually, they are black with some kind of tan-colored buttons at the top, so I guess that's as manly as curtains get. Right?
Mama Dawg: I like your style, a lot. I'll have to remember that as these kids of mine get older. D- starts preschool in the fall and I'm guessing we'll have kids over soon enough.
Andrea's Sweet Life: No, it didn't, even! And that's yet another reason why I think I should be getting some kind of international award with cash prize, or something.
Mama Dawg: Thanks! Wow, that wish was surprisingly effective. Does this one come with a cash prize??
Either way, I've put it up and I'll be posting about it this weekend.
Swirl Girl: That's a classic, and very hard to overcome. On the rare occasion that tickling can't do the job, I'd recommend hanging the kid by the feet.
Jenny: I live to intrigue, my friend. I think we all have those days, though, so don't feel too bad. I can picture that once M- gets up to the sophisticated threes and beyond, the two of them will drive me nuts.
My parents make me feel like an awful parent sometimes, just by being patient and understanding at all times. But then, they're grandparents, and that's their job.
I love that. I'd probably be laughing along with them!
That's just because you're one of those weird people who likes to laugh at things that are funny.
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