A Cluster of a Day

As I sit here and type June is upstairs throwing the biggest tantrum known to man.  Why? Because he wouldn't listen... got three strikes and is in time out.  Time out is like plucking his toe nails off one by one.  He HATES it.  But what am I to do.  I have tried multiple avenues of discipline throughout his little toddlerhood.  I finally reached the point where I was yelling often, the mood in the house was dark and hostile, and spanking crossed my mind repeatedly.

At that point a friend recommended this book:



It changed my parenting ideals, philosophy and approach to the kids.  What the book teaches makes sense and if you are *consistent.*  It works wonders.  At each infraction (throwing toys, not listening to mom, pushing Josh, etc) you get counted: "That's 1" "That's 2" "That's 3" Time out. After time out, life resumes and the behavior issue is dropped. Hopefully positive behavior ensues... or you start counting all over again.

The biggest thing they stress, and the biggest asset to that book is "No emotion, No talking." Parents talk and talk and talk at their kids expecting them to understand, reason, and listen. Not going to happen.  Kids are kids wired with little kiddy-like brains. They drive on impulse and cause and effect. We are still growing and nurturing their moral sense and right from wrong.  So talking and talking is doing no good.  Explain why you are counting your child but keep it simple.  And no emotion is an easy concept to understand... it helps nobody to yell and fuss.  It's detrimental to all parties involved.

Count calmly. Follow through. Be consistent.

It's the consistency that I lack from time to time.  When things are good, I let things slide.  BIG mistake because then it piles up into a day like today.  June throws me test after test after test and I repeatedly fail.

Sooooooo bootcamp. I'm watching June like a hawk. No emotion, no talking, counting, and following through.  He screams while in time out but wants a hug afterward. I'm sure it will be days and days of testing me, but I'm back on track to a well behaved June.

Now... public displays of preschooler insanity... yeah, don't have that down yet... that's a whole other post.