8/19/2005

Seeking parenting advice

My children are going to make me crazy. I think it is their set mission in life. The newest thing is dumping water on the floor. I keep water bottles with pop top lids around so that they can have a drink of water whenever they want it, the don’t spill, and I don’t really have to worry about whether they’re clean or not. That being said, every time I had one to one of my children, as soon as my back is turned they turn it upside down and squeeze as much water out as they possibly can. It’s almost cute with the girls, because they always run to get a dishrag to clean it up. But they are to the point where they are doing it all the time. I kid you not, I cleaned up 4 water spills in an hour yesterday. So anyone else have any ideas on how to keep my children hydrated without having soggy carpet? Sippy cups, are out of the question, they just pull the lids right off, and dump the whole thing in a matter of seconds.
My kids other new thing (that I might have mentioned) is climbing on the table. I used to be able to push the chairs in, and they couldn’t get up, but not anymore! Every time I turn around someone is up there. I’m to a point where I almost don’t care. They’ve been up there 100 times each and haven’t fallen yet, I’m not going to run over there and grab them off because it’s not “safe”. I’m sick of it. Maybe if I let them fall they’ll learn not to climb up there any more… I don’t know what else to do besides put the chairs in the living room, and drag them to the kitchen every time I want to use one.
And then there’s the dresser. I just went back to check on them and noticed that they’ve emptied it again. 3 times in 3 days. Why? I guess the more important question is why do I put everything back nice and neatly folded, sorted and organized. 20 minutes worth of folding undone in 10 seconds. Unless someone else can come up with an idea (besides locking them out of Alex’s room – where their dresser and all the toys are) I’m just going to have to start throwing the piles of clothes into the closest drawer, unfolded, and unsorted.
So anyone got any advice? Anyone wanna guess how many kids are currently on my kitchen table? I’ll give you a hint, just one, because Alex climbed down, and Annie’s stuck. So there she sits, whining to get down while I type away. But oh, Louisa’s climbing up to rescue her. Why me?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think it's payback from our childhood. Don't parents always tell their children: " I hope you have three kids just like you!" Makes me worry about what I'm in for...

photographer said...

time out. Seriously. You put a chair in a corner facing out, not in, or against a wall, and put them in it. Set the timer, tell them why they are on time out ex: you climbed on the table when I asked you not to, so now you need to sit and think about why we do not climb on the table.. 1. we eat there. 2. it is dangerous and you could be hurt. 3. it is not nice manners anywhere to sit on the table. The timer should be set for their age. give the girls one minute. It will be an eternity. you will have to sit with them, quietly with no talking, no playing, no books, no tv, no nothing, just thinking about the transgression. remember love the sinner not the sin. I guarantee you they will get it very quickly. 40 times repeated and it will be amazing! So you have three under three and that is your difficulty. So close in age, so same punishment, period. same rules. girls will do what Alex does. we all basically learn by watching! And with the liquids. Put it away. They won't die if they do not have constant access to water/drink. But if it is not available to play with, it can not be spilled. Have specific drink times and they will appreciate it more. It works, sounds mean, but it works. You can do it! You are a wonderful mom!

photographer said...

i used to watch all my nieces and nephews along with my own, ranging in age from 10 to 2, 6 kids. You learn to have a strong routine, same rules, no matter what. Sorry about the book! lol, pm if you need to just talk!

Lora3677 said...

I have to agree with Radona. NO, I don't have kids.. yet.. but I'm reading alot and all the 'experts' and doctors tell you to USE timeout. It is the best approach. Better than a trip to the ER, too.

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