Whew! What a wild ride we've had around here these last few weeks! I am pleased to announce that Jake's regression is coming to an end. (It is really hard to type while knocking on wood.) He is sleeping through the night, having fewer meltdowns and his receptive language skills appear to be back on track. His expressive language is not quite up to where it was before the regression, but he's getting there.
Now it's time to regain control of the household. For too long, we've been in 'survival' mode around here. Constant meltdown management and prevention combined with sleep deprivation can quickly change your priority list. I forgot I was trying to raise productive citizens and instead was focusing on just getting through the day. Well, folks, there's a new sheriff in town and my kids got to meet her last night.
During dinner, Jake bounced up from his chair every 5 seconds while screaming for potato chips and Sarah methodically tossed handfuls of food on the floor. I tried to reason with my feral children while lamenting the fact that we had come to this point due to weeks of disruption in our home. Then I heard a voice in my head. Usually the voice instructs me to run screaming from the house. This time it just provided a gentle reminder, "You're in charge here."
While the kids were in timeout and I had a captive audience, I calmly announced that there would be some changes around here. I outlined the areas that required immediate attention: Food goes in your mouth, not on the floor. Toys go in the basket, not in the fireplace. Pee-pee goes in the potty, not in your pants. And, for Pete's sake, stop rearranging the furniture!
I know that one lecture from the 'new sheriff' is not going to fix all of our issues. I also realize that all of this was more than young children can absorb at one time. It was really for me. I established my plan and fired the warning shot. I just wish I could have taken a picture of the two of them, sitting so quietly, wide-eyed and actually listening to the words coming out of my mouth.
After timeout, we returned to the table, where everyone ate in peace. Sarah even politely asked for more. From there, we went on with an uneventful, meltdown-free evening. Super Nanny would be so proud. Watch out, kids...Mama's back!
7 comments:
You think this will work with husbands as well? :)
Do you think the new Sheriff can come to my town too?
I know how you feel, I feel disorganized, like I'm barely getting threw the day..Like Monday I was finally caught up on the laundry, I put the 2 year old down for a nap and folded my last load. An hour later i heard her giggling so I walk in her room to tell her to lay down and there's poo from wall to wall, she dumped out her bottle of milk and grabbed some powder that I left on the changing table (way to close to the crib) and threw it everywhere if formed a wonderful paste. I turned right around and walked out! 15 seconds later I went back..and to this day I am still behind on laundry!
We could use a sheriff here as well! We've been in survival mode too! I'm thinking this means I'll get it together again also!
Woohoo! It's a great time when you move from survival mode to living! I am so proud of you!
It only works on husbands if you promise rewards. Be careful they may want rewards you can't keep in a timely manner.
Deputize us and we'll follow your lead.
Debbie
As far as I know, there is no known behavior modification protocol effective for use on husbands. :-)
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