I've had a few discipline epiphanies lately that are helping me control Eli's behavior and so far avoid most tantrums. A few weeks ago, after feeling very frustrated, I decided to welcome back an old favorite -- 1,2,3 Magic (or at least my version of it.) Basically, when I've asked Eli to do something and he refuses, defies me or seems to be ignoring me, I start counting. If I get to three, he gets a consequence. I restored our old tool because I found that when he was misbehaving I was talking A LOT, I would get frustrated, and he wasn't listening anyway. The counting works like a charm -- he hates it. It's helping to get him to listen to me the first time and it's helping me keep my cool. The only problem was that he hates it so much, that often the counting, or especially getting to three, sometimes kicked off a tantrum.
I had an epiphany yesterday that's helping to address the other side. I've reinvigorated the sticker chart. Yesterday morning was blissful, he was so good all morning that I didn't even mention counting. I decided to reward him by giving him a sticker. He also got two stickers for putting himself down for a nap. I told him he could earn a sticker for a good afternoon and another one for behaving at Grammie's birthday dinner. He ate it up. Yesterday was great, and so far this morning has been much better as well. Yay! In general, this week was great, and compared to last week it was spectacular. The highlights of the week include...
-- Playing at Dendi's park on Monday afternoon. The weather was comparatively mild and sunny on Monday afternoon. The temps were in the low 50's. We played at the park in downtown Senoia. While there, Eli met a new friend, Genevieve. She's 2 1/2, adorable, opinionated and a social butterfly. Eli seems to love outgoing girls. They played for a while, and I started talking to Genevieve's mom. At one point, Eli presented Genevieve with a special wishbone shaped stick, and before we knew it they were hugging. So cute.
-- Afternoon outings to Chick-Fil-A. Eli, Keira and I do much better if we get out of the house, and the afternoon works the best. After having a quiet morning, and at least an nap effort, I love to head outside. When the weather was nicer I would ask him which park he wanted to head to, and we'd go. This week, with it being too cold, we headed to Chick-Fil-A instead. I spent a couple dollars on two ice cream (or dream) cones, then we got to spent a good amount of time in the play place. I find the Chick-Fil-A to be a cleaner, less congested, less germy alternative to the indoor jumping places. It was a success and a great solution on cold, cabin fever type days.
-- Shopping excursions with my girl. I'm loving getting out of the house with Keira on Eli's Grandma Days. This week we went to Target, Clothes Less Traveled, and Kroger. She's very portable in the Baby Bjorn and when she gets tired of that, she loves to sit like a big girl in the cart. She smiles, giggles and babbles at all of her admirers. It's cathartic for me to get out of the house, especially after our heinous house bound last week.
-- Keira's talking! She is actually talking. Well she's saying a few words for sure. She says, "Mamamamamama," to me all day long through her toothy grins. And, when Scott gets home, he is showered with a medley of "Dadadadadada." I'm in love, again.
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