Tuesday, September 28, 2010

I jumped in

For a year or so, I have been "kinda" following the love and logic plan. Kinda means I think I am really doing it, but I KNOW I am not. I have been putting her in her room, but not closing the door, I have been timing her fits and then she gets out of her room...regardless of her actions, and I have been talking about why mommy put her in time-out, and coaching her on what to say to please mommy.

Have just decided that this is the day to confess it all and make some changes in my world.

I finally finished the Love and Logic for Early Childhood book and it gave me the courage to try it for real.

Sunday night, I jumped right in the middle of it!

Sunday night the fit lasted over 20 minutes and included me holding the door shut for that time. I made some mistakes and I felt bad about those mistakes...but I also vowed to do better.

Monday night the fit lasted 19 minutes and she was calm when I opened the door. I did not have to hold the door closed...but she did kick the door numerous times(which angered her father, but I got him calmed down without interupting the process) I did not talk about the episode after, I did hug and kiss her after and told her I loved her. She wanted to talk about it(mostly because that is how we have done it in the past) but I ignored her comments and went about my business and she did too. We remedied the problem that started it all...and time marched on.

I am hoping that I am strong enough to keep it up. I need a catch phrase. L&L uses Uh-oh...but that doesn't roll off my tongue...I never think of it at the right time. I am thinking about "not a good choice"

I need to buy the book so I have it at my house all the time. I was frantically leafing thru it last night to give me strength and then I slept with it under my bed. (that always worked in college)

I just kept repeating...you can do this!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

update

I owe you a picture, I know, you deserve one. The one where she is wearing the backpack and smiling...I took it and she looks so grown up. But then...she is 3. Preschool is going fine. We have gone a total of 3 times. And she still likes it. Honey buns has dropped her off, I have picked her up, and I have almost forgotten her. 3 days and we have done it all. Next comes the hard part. The part where my real live job conflicts with the mom duties. I am busy next Tuesday. Wonder what will happen to preschool.
I have talked with another mom about a play date after school...does that sound like it will work? Now I have to get her dad to drop her off and we are set.

Why does life have to get in the way of my well laid plans?