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Can't Live With 'Em, Can't Sell 'Em On CraigsList.
- Jul 3, 2009 at 7:37 PM
- By
- Comments (38) Total Views (1168) Everyone can see this journal post.
I've noticed a lot of my mommy friends are encountering the same stressful problem right now. Our seemingly delightful offspring are fighting more and it's bugging the snot out of us all. Summer is here and we're still trying to get everything done that we normally do, only now we've got all these little needy people in the house and no school to send them off to during the day...and they're BORED little needy people.
Planning things to keep them busy will work to cut the fighting down a lot, but I know I'm not always that on-the-ball. So when we fall asleep at the Parental Wheel and the fighting begins, what can we do to keep our cool?
There are a couple of quick and easy fixes, that I use myself, They really will work. I just need to remember them in my day.
Say this. Don't think about it, just say it.
"I charge a dollar a minute to listen to children argue. Solve it yourselves."
Then look at the clock. Those kids will skedaddle out of there faster than you can blink. If it comes to fisticuffs, so be it. They'll learn other ways of solving their disagreements without bringing you into it.
For those kids who have no sense and very few cents, toys can be easily substituted for cash. Only the most awesomely cool, most played with toys are confiscated. Then they have the opportunity to earn the toys (or money) back by replacing the energy they drained out of you in doing some extra chore(s).
One for the tweens and/or teens who need to be chauffeured everywhere is this little gem: "I'll drive you to (wherever) as soon as ____, ____ and ____ are done." If these ____s are not completed before it's time to leave, the kid doesn't go. Simple as that. Their friends' birthday parties are not a grade requirement.
Whatever you need to get done today, make your job less stressful by getting those able-bodied young'uns to help. They live there, too. Home is more than a place for them to eat and sleep and ask for sh*t.
These are actually a couple of techniques I picked up from Parenting with Love and Logic, and although I can't take credit for them, I can certainly tell you that Love and Logic really does work.
Even the toddlers can do this stuff! It keeps me ahead of the AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH Moments when I remember to use it.
I hope I've just made your day easier. If you like these, use them. If you don't, forget them. Just remember that we DON'T have to do it all. Really. Keep your cool. It's summer and it's a jungle out there.
BlogLikeNinja - Writers and Assassins. :)
Tags: love and logic, you can't sell your kids unless you've saved your receipt
Comments:
i was reading how alot of u have kids who goto bed at 7and 8 pm and your pushing the time a little later because of summer...My sons 3 and half and hes never gone to bed earlier than 10pm, he just wont and most of the reason is my mom, she spoils him rotten,lets him do whatever he wants and gets away with it. I make rules and stick to them but i also work everyday and only get 2 days a week with him so i dont really make him have a bed time, do u think thats bad? i mean he takes naps when hes with a sitter, being mom or fiance, or his dad but he just stays up late with me and then we goto bed....although i do want to get him on a better schedule so that hell be use to it by time preschool comes.
luvmyblndbabyby - I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Logan goes to bed anywhere between 8-10 pm. Mainly because I work and want to spend time with him. I feel bad forcing him to go to bed since I am not with him during the day.
Holy crap, you're so awesome! LOL So, since dd has NO concept of money, I use the chore things right? LOL Hmmmmm, my deck does need refinishing......LMBO
The use of guilt still works fairly well for me. =D
I wish I had these rules when my kids were younger, though I do like the can't drive you til such and such is done. I am gonna use that one for sure!
Live and Learn. Love and Logic.
When I read the title I thought you were talking about husbands... LOL
See my problem is remembering to actually use the Love and Logic, lol. I think I was due for a re-fresher course........ ;)
One for the tweens and/or teens who need to be chauffeured everywhere is this little gem: "I'll drive you to (wherever) as soon as ____, ____ and ____ are done." If these ____s are not completed before it's time to leave, the kid doesn't go.
This works for me every time!
I want to try the "dollar a minute" trick just to see what happens.
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Fantastic advice! I'm putting your techniques into practice tomorrow. If they don't work, can I send my kids to you so you can work your "magic"?
*daydreams about a place where kids can be sent to be shaped up and then shipped back home*