My friend Kristi over at Live and Love... Out Loud has just started a blog carnival. It's called "Oh No He DIDN'T Tuesday." I had a wonderful post written for today, the FIRST day of the carnival - but the situation has changed (even if only slightly) and thus invalidated my entire post.
While that's not a great thing for the carnival (I REALLY wanted to participate) it IS a good thing for my family.
So, with regrets, I am not able to participate in the carnival. I'm sure I could think of something to write in here but it would be just a generic rant that I've gone over a thousand times before and I'd like to offer something more than that.
I totally think you should go check out Kristi's post though, and follow the links to the rest of the participants. Kristi's post literally made me say "Oh no he DIDN'T." ...Yes, literally. I spoke it out loud. And I don't really say that. But... Damn. Really. Go see for yourself.
I will try to come up with something a little less generic to post than my usual "Ugh. He slept until 2 and didn't help with the kids!" for next week - but in the meantime, I could use some help.
I know I've posted on this before, but it's really becoming a problem. Gracie's behavior is getting worse. Generally speaking she's a really good kid, but she's becoming incredibly defiant. She's been REFUSING to obey me. Yesterday I got up to make her something to snack on and when I came back, she was in my chair. I asked her kindly to get up so I could sit back down and she refused. To the point that she went rigid and I had to PICK HER UP and move her.
That's the least of it. She refuses to get up in the morning and then throws horrendous fits of rage when I make her wake up. It's to the point that I have to get up 30 minutes earlier than I normally do in order to coerce her out of bed so she doesn't start the day badly. But even that doesn't work. I still end up having to pick her up out of bed and set her on her feet to make her wake up. (I've tried earlier bed times, etc too - I think it's just a behavioral thing.)
I don't know what to do. I've tried time outs, time ins, spanking (which I don't do anymore), groundings... I'm to the point that when she disobeys me, I just want to make her go to bed. Whether it's 3 in the afternoon or not.
What can I do? Any suggestions?
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Kristi · 779 weeks ago
As for Gracie...she's 5 years old or thereabouts? Sounds like she's doing what most kids her age do. She's pushing boundaries and limitations. The only thing you can do is keep on top of it. That means no giving in. When my daughter was either 4 or 5 she started acting out like Gracie. We heard of 1-2-3 Magic through her preschool.
Basically, she gets 2 warnings. When you warn her say "Gracie that's 1, etc." Remain calm and don't get angry. At the 3rd offense say "Gracie that's 3. Take 5." And then to timeout she goes.
Okay so that's my two cents. Take it or leave it. lol Thanks again for linking to me Erin. I really appreciate that. I hope things get better with Gracie. I know it's tough!
Kristi, Live and Love...Out Loud
@TweetingMama
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babybeatnik 18p · 779 weeks ago
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Stefany @ ToBeThode · 778 weeks ago
For the waking up, I would get an alarm clock and set it well in advance. Give her some control over the time she gets up. I think that any control you can give her back will help her to follow your rules... because they will also be hers.
I know one thing that I try to do is offer choices whenever possible. Now, I am not talking about choices you won't like. Tell her she either can choose to get out of your chair or she can choose to stand for her meal but that she needs to let you sit down. She either needs to choose to wake up when she is supposed to or she can choose to go to bed earlier.
I am not sure this makes sense. I hope so. I have tried many things with our 5 kids and giving them (what they think are their) choices works the best.
Good luck!
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babybeatnik 18p · 778 weeks ago
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Alex @ LateEnough · 777 weeks ago
Maybe that'll help!
PS. My husband (pediatrician) always recommends 1-2-3 Magic.
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