[momtothree]

“... other items have met their demise”

Well, the football, soccer ball, softball, basketball phase hasn’t started yet. Give it time! LOL. My oldest brother has 3 boys (two grown now). Over the years, he has replaced every window. Simple accidents, really. (not all at once either so the spacing helps your sanity). I get the whole, “I love when they get here and I love when they go home”.

[kiki04]

we follow are simple rules to going out with kids... 1. Children have a routine, stick with it even when out. If you eat dinner at 5:30 at home, eat around the same time. If you postpone dinner to 7 or later and they go to bed at 8, you will have issues.

2. Have set expectations. Starting around 2, praise them for table manners. Starting around 3 they will get it when corrected. Manners at home, for all meals. Include stay in seat, use utensils, inside voice, etc. If they do not have rules like this at home, what do you think will happen when you take them out?

3. for smaller children (3 and under) keep crackers or something in your purse. if the place is busy, this will save a lot of grief.

4. a pen or crayons and paper.

5. Before we go into a restaurant (or used to, now we don't have to do the speech) Let them know HOW you want them to behave and WHAT the consequences are if they don't. We have had to remove our kids mid meal once. If you have a set punishment and follow through, it will only happen once.