Posted on 10/26/2005 11:52:43 AM PDT by GipperCT
Mom?
'zat you?
You just like saying "Gore-Tex."
Yes, it's important to draw a line between just a wee no no and something serious. Otherwise, punishments wind up not mattering at all. The punishment must fit the "crime".
Be careful what you ask any two year old to do...as you've learned. They really are very literal and if a "chore" seems to be "fun", they will get carried away.LOL
All GOOD mommies tend to sound the same. :-)
After about a minute in the frigid Minnesota air...well I wasn't stupid.
This really isn't an issue with my kids. Doesn't exactly get frosty in South Texas.
He needs to wear warm clothes because he might get sick.
...masters at manipulation
**
Indeed!
The best-adjusted kids tend to be those whose parents are firm but don't rely on spanking to make all of their points for them.
&&
Well said.
aaaaaaand what if they don't choose ANY clothes that are not t shirts and shorts?
He's 2, not a bargainer yet....
&&&
See my post #24. If the summer clothes "disappear" while he is sleeping, they are not a choice. If he asks, just tell him they are "all gone". At his age, that is an answer, believe me. If he screams about this, just ignore him. I know it's hard, but just walk away -- out of the room, if necesary -- and go do something else. If you sit down on the floor and start playing silently with his toys within his eyesight, he will most likely stop the tantrum in seconds and come over to join you.
Do not, under any circumstances, stand and watch him taking a tantrum and never, ever try to talk him out of the tantrum. If he has your undivided attention, the tantrum has had its desired effect.
Not a bargainer? Oh, but a toddler is, and you are being had.
As for the choice issue, remember to show him just 2 outfits, not his whole wardrobe, and ask him, "Do you want the red one or the yellow one?" not "Do you want to wear this?" If he is not particularly verbal, he can still point to the one he has chosen.
Yep it's a two year old thingy. Plan on going some place "speciial" to him. Then say that he will have to stay home (with a suitable baby sitter or adult) because he won't wear coat etc. Make it REALLY nice and some place he loves going. Our grandbabies cries tear me up but not there mom. She gives them a choice - sweater or coat. No do you want to wear a coat or not. They will say NOT if they think that's what YOU want them to say.
As for spanking, it's none of my business how other people raise their kids but I could never bring myself to hit my own. I used other methods which worked well, and I have to grown sons who make me proud.
Thank you everyone!
Never give a small child the opportunity to tell you 'no.' Questions should be 'do want to wear the blue sweater or the red sweater' not 'would you put on your red sweater?' Remove the opportunity for him to challenge you...but he still gets a choice.
For tantrums, if at all possible, and safe to do...just ignore them. Stay close by, but go about doing something that takes your attention from them (and their tantrum). Kids notice that you are not watching them (but you really are); a tantrum is the ultimate 'watch me, listen to me, give me attention right now' mode for little people. If you ignore their efforts they will learn that the screaming/crying are not fun feelings and that it doesn't bring about their desired effect.
As for the clothes, I would make them 'go away' when he naps. Very young children don't have the thinking process to theorize 'mom didn't want me to wear shorts so she took them away.' But if you tell the child 'look in the closet...the shorts are all gone, they will accept (pretty much) that they aren't there anymore. Hey, I accept that gremlins go into my closet and shrink my jeans on a regular basis...:)
Lastly, if he does then take off the warm clothes (after he realizes thats all he now has) and refuses to wear them; let him go around in his training pants/underwear. He will learn that being cold isn't fun.
Good luck!!!
These are two year olds you are dealing with here.
If they were 5 years old and you called them your 60 month old kids you will still be having problems...
"Turns out his base body temp is somewhere aroud 99.8 and to this day"
I didn't know people could have temps like that. My daughter (5)almost always is at 99.1 we have been worried about a low level infection for a while, looked, and doc visits to no avail, how'd you figure that out?
Glad you liked it. And glad you've got tantrum-free kids!
Of course I don't beat them, but they have been taught since the beginning who the boss is. I am VERY old fashioned in many ways, and parenting is one of them.
Don't even get me started about why this country has experienced such a decline in good behavior.
And I'm glad you found one of those elusive smart blondes! ; )
Believe me, I am well aware of those who are saying their kids are "38" mos. old.
I gave mos. to give an idea exactly where he's at for discussion sake.
I like your advice, you sound like you "know-of-which-u-speak"
98.6 is average human body temp. Most people are within a few tenths of that while some, like my son and possibly your daughter, are further from average. If your daughter's temp is consistently 99.1 over a period of months and she is otherwise healthy, then it's probably true for her. The good news is that since most bacteria & viruses that cause regular illnesses have a somewhat narrow temperature range where they can survive and thrive, fewer germs will want to make her sick. The bad news is those that are comfortable enough to get a foothold in her warmer body temp will tend to be a bit more assertive.
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