While on my 'computer break' I wasn't able to check the blogs that I like to read - well, at least as often as I like to. Today, whilst I did some catching up, I read what I think is one of the best mom ideas ever.When the girls enter meltdown mode, my initial reaction is to box them up and ship them to ports unknown. After getting over that, slowly, but surely, I enter into reality mode. I try to calmly, and politely, suggest another manner of behavior. Trying to rationalize with a two-year old is like me trying to fit into a size six - laughable. I like to roll the dice with the five-year old, though. It's a mixed bag with her. You either get wisdom beyond her years coming from her mouth. Or, you get further breakdown that appears to require professional help. Either way, you're pretty much screwed.
After attempting rational conversation, it usually turns into a my-way-or-the-highway situation. It really works out well if there is some big ticket item to dangle in front of them. Taking away some coveted time away from home or a previously promised trip to somewhere they like. Sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.
There are several other methods of trying to deal with a meltdown/behavior problem, but there isn't enough time in the day to cover all that we have explored. That's what makes my latest discovery so exciting and quite honestly, delightful.
Thank you to The Meanest Mom for her wonderfully inspired way of handling children in their less than stellar moments. I am actually looking forward to the next, probably right-around-the-corner-occurrence, of crabbiness from the girls. In her March 24th post, she talks about, and shows, how she takes pictures of her kids in their time to shine moments.
Personally, I like the idea of showing Jason just what the little creatures do sometimes during the day. He has seen their handy work in person, but sometimes, the daily episodes far outweigh the night/weekend episodes. Calling him on the phone works sometimes too. Although I try not to bother him all the time with that - I could potentially consume a lot of his day at work.
