Let me just tell you that I didn't expect tantrums until after the age of 2. I was wrong. Somehow, somewhere James learned how to properly throw a tantrum. What helps me is not to see it as pure misbehavior but as frustration on his part not to be able to tell me what is wrong, what he wants or needs, or what is going on. Still, standing in line at Barnes & Noble is not a place I wanted to deal with a tantrum. But I did. I haven't read books on how to deal with misbehavior (yet) and I haven't read an awful lot on parenting in general. Maybe I should, but here's something I KNOW works. Praise! What a different kid he is when I praise him, even with the little things he does. Like scribbling on his coloring books pages, or picking up his legos and putting them back in the basket, or putting mommy's keys back where he found them etc. So, here's a photo of James gleaming over the beautiful coloring he'd done. What's funny is that everytime he'd add a new color, he'd look to me for praise and then he'd give me a hug. I got about ten hugs in a row- and I didn't ask for a single one! It was a good moment.
On a sweet note... James was introduced to Oreo's... and he likes them! I didn't give him any tips on how to eat one, we thought we'd let him experience it and find his own way to eat it and he choose... to split it apart into 2 half's (while rubbing it all over)! Fun times!
Tomorrow morning James can't have anything to eat or drink until after his ultrasound which is at 10:15. This is going to take some ultimate distraction techniques because even though he's not a big eater, he's ready for breakfast and especially his milk when he gets up which is usually around 7:30! Geez! He's having an abdomen ultrasound because the pediatrician thought she felt something odd and wanted us to get it checked out. I will keep you posted :)
2 comments:
Good Job Mommy! Praise works wonders in so many ways. We'd do well to incorporate this into how we treat everyone!!
At the root of it tantrums are sinful - whether they are from frustration or not. I'd like to say I was this perfect mom who spanked for every tantrum ever thrown but I have fallen into that "I'm just going to ignore you" camp. I don't know if that really is best but it seems to work too. I do, however, always try to correct when it is over. Tantrums are no fun but you seem to be doing great!!
Let me know what you found out at the doctor.
Yah. Hailey is the queen of tantrums. She and James should talk. I'm not really sure how to handle them either. Timeout doesn't phase her. When I praise her for reversing her behavior...she does the bad behavior again so that she can correct it and get praised again! What's also amazing is that she waits to misbehave until I'm in a position where I can't do anything...like feeding her brother. Smart kid.
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