OK, so we have this deal where we wake the girls up once, making sure they're really awake and then that's it. We were getting so much flack in the morning from them that we decided that since they know how to do everything, we'll tell them once to get out of bed and that's it.

This morning Cath and Gia get woken up once. Gia hops out of bed. Cath stays in bed. Gia gets ready and out the door and by that time, Cath has JUST gotten dressed. She still had to eat and brush hair and teeth. Lee also told them that if one gets up and the other doesn't, that he'll take the one to school and come back for the other one. Since Cath was late, he was going into the office to write down the reason for Cath being late.

All of this was hard. You don't want your kids to be late, you don't want them to be embarrassed for walking in late, we as parents want to get them out the door, but since we've been leaving it up to them and the natural consequences occur, it's been much better all the way around.

Gave a little bit of last minute encouragment for Lee on the way out. Like ignore her mouth on the way there and don't get into a "yes you did" "no I didn't" back and forth arguing match. Also don't keep telling her "Well, you made your choice, Cath." and that kind of stuff. With Cath it's much better to ignore and let her argue with herself than it is to engage. It's tough for both of us to remember.

Lee and I grew up differently. His parents talked with he and his sister, my parents didn't. My parents didnt' give much thought one way or the other as to why were were acting a certain way. His parents talked a lot. Lots of discussion. Which is fine, but it doesn't work with these girls. I don't analyze, but then it's also good to know that when Cath comes in from school with a hugely bad attitude that she's had a bad day with someone at school. After she vents about that, it's better. I need to analyze more.

Lee wants to discuss to death and I'm the opposite. There's a middle ground that's hard to get to.

Now Boo, on the other hand, is all about being 3 and not having the issue about getting out of bed. She has to get up to eat and bee-bop around. Maybe go into her sissies room and harrass them a bit. She's sitting at the TV tray, drinking hot chocolate with a spoon and calling it her coffee.

last - next

0 comments so far
Tanya McBee Gunby | Create Your Badge