I tried something new today with Jackson. I told him that if he got on the computer
again, than I would throw away one of his breakfast bars, which he may love
more than me. Of course as I came back around
the corner, he was up on the computer doing his best to break it permanently.
So I went to the pantry took out a breakfast bar, showed
him, opened it, and broke it up in the garbage. (I had to break it up, otherwise he would go dumpster diving) On the scale of meltdowns he hit about a 9. I sent him to the other room until he was
able to calm down.
Honestly I didn't like how it felt. I felt as if I was
rubbing a dogs nose in a urine spot, and I don’t think I’ll do it again. Then Glenn confirmed that it was probably to
much as he went to console his brother.
“It’s OK Jackson, I’m right here…take a deep breath.” Once he felt as if his brother was OK he
walked straight over to me.
“Dad, you need to be nice to Jackson. He is little and you need to be more patient
with him.” There is nothing better than getting parenting advice from a 4 year
old. I thanked him for his feedback and told
him that I felt I did the right thing.
“No Dad, you used bad words, and that isn't nice. Don’t be mean to Jackson.” Jesus the kid doesn't let up does he?
“OK Glenn…I get it, I’ll tell him I’m sorry. Also watch your tone when you provide such criticism,
but thanks for sharing anyway.” I love
that Glenn feels comfortable enough to critique my performance, just not when I am angry.
Oh well back to the timeouts then…
I have written about Action Jackson and Jackson the
Destroyer in the past. Needless to say
this kid challenges me, in ways that Glenn never did. He has taken some steps forward and a few
more back since he officially joined the ranks of the terrible twos.
On the one hand he has gotten big enough to start time
outs. One minute for every year old he
is. Since those began, I have seen a
marked decrease in some of his more annoying habits. The cable box, the dog bowl, and the kitchen
cabinets are all limits that he now understands.
Unfortunately he has become 100 % more mobile. Shortly after his birthday, he mastered the
art of the stool. He knows where they
are, what they are for, and items that can be used in place of a stool. Think of him teetering on a toy for an extra
foot of height. As such, there is
nowhere…NO WHERE…that is no safe from the grabby hands of Jackson the
Destroyer.
So we do a lot of timeouts.
When Glenn was getting timeouts more frequently I always said that after
the third timeout he got a spanking.
With Jackson that isn't even possible.
The kid usually clears three timeouts before I can even get his diaper
changed in the morning.
If he gets out of timeout, than it starts over. The kid has Tammi’s family stubbornness, so
he often will immediately go back to whatever he got the timeout in the first
place, as soon as he is released.
It is not uncommon for me to have ten minutes to myself, two
minutes at a time. So with that in mind
here are the best ways for you to occupy yourself, while your demon spawn of a
toddler spends the morning in timeout.
#5 Dishes- It’s not sexy or exciting, but it’s also not
often that you are able to empty the dishwasher without Mr. McGrabby pants climbing
in. This is a good opportunity to get
shit done, without taking away from play time.
#4 Take deep breaths- lots of them. Find your happy place and go there quickly.
#3 Sweep- Again not sexy, but when was the last time you
were able to clean the floor, without a toddler holding the dustpan or walking
through the pile.
#2 Nothing- Maybe this should be number one, but my
priorities are different. Regardless,
there is nothing better than doing absolutely nothing. That is nothing better except….
#1 Eat- Without being bothered, it is pure bliss. No sharing, no tiny hands reaching up at you,
pecking away at your well-deserved respite.
Pure chaos may be reigning down in the other room, but you’re at peace
in the kitchen eating your pretzels.
Crap…Jackson is pulling out all of the DVD’s from the self.(AGAIN) Let me go check with Glenn to see what he
would like me to do.
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