OddFiction wrote:
Kailuamom wrote:
I don't require much from the kids because frankly making them do stuff requires more energy than I have.
One night a week, Sunday, I want to watch what I want on tv in the family room.
I do not believe that I should be required to have a big discussion about this. My house my rules. The first time, ok but come on...there's 52 Sundays a year. Must I really have the discussion again? Just so someone else sees me as fair?
Well, it would seem to me that simply saying 'because it's my turn, my routine, my schedule to watch tv on sundays in this room" should work, and if not, then you should grab a calendar and 'book' the living room for each remaining sunday evening. At that point, there is not only a record of your intentions, but a fall back formalized contract that you have posted sufficiently ahead of time. If they want to argue over your right to post the calendar, then you have the right to move YOUR tv into your bedroom: and everyone with half a brain can't argue about "my personal room my personal space: no entry!"
So if they're not getting it, I have to shut myself in my bedroom? I've
earned the right to make my own rules, in my living room, my kitchen, my bathroom,
my house.
You're essentially saying that if my kids don't get that reality, I should go right back to shutting myself in my room, the way I had to live with my parents.
No. Sorry. I don't think so.
OddFiction wrote:
MMJMOM wrote:
what about a rule like brush your teeth, come eat dinner, please put your PJs on. why do I have to explain over and over to no end to my son WHY he needs to brush his teeth, eat and get dressed, or do school work, etc...and its not the asking that is the issue its the fighting and crying that accompanies his protests. Eventually, I will say, "it is time to brush your teeth and you are going to answer me with YES MOM and go do that please" and he will go and do it. If I dont word it that way it opens up a whining complaining battle on his end.
"Why should i brush my teeth? " - sit his butt down at the computer and show him pictures of people with bad teeth and infections.
"why should i eat" - show him pictures of anorexics.
"why do my schoolwork" - drive him past the local homeless shelter?
If the verbal doesn't work, show him the visual. Pictures and a million words and all that.
Then when he asks why, ask if he remembers the horrors of not brushing. etc.
You're not really answering the question at all here. All you're doing it suggesting exactly what MMJMOM said she's already done, over and over.
The question is
what would you do if you've already answered all these questions multiple times to the point that it's gotten ridiculous?
This reminds me of a Robin Williams joke about London police, who don't carry guns, so they would have to shout, "STOP! Or I'll say STOP again!"
What are you going to do with a kid that just keeps asking why, no matter what you tell or show them? At what point do you quit playing that game and lay down the law?
_________________
I'm not likely to be around much longer. As before when I first signed up here years ago, I'm finding that after a long hiatus, and after only a few days back on here, I'm spending way too much time here again already. So I'm requesting my account be locked, banned or whatever. It's just time. Until then, well, I dunno...
24 Dec 2012, 7:31 am
