that is perhaps only temporary but it worked this morning. Actually I end up shouting because I don’t seem to get a grip on my kids when they get out of hand and we have to accomplish things together (like being on time to their summer activities or going to bed). THe idea came as I was throwing away a stick my two and a half year-old had been playing with. I threw it into the bushes at the gas station because he had started honking the horn while I was gasing up the car (yes, teh-he I know you’re thinking this is very funny…but when its already the eighth incident of the sort…). When I got back in the car it hit on me I could do the same thing with their toys (not in the bushes though!). I told them: next time you guys don’t listen or behave I’m going to pick out one of your toys and give it to some children who DO listen. Boy, that sure had their attention. Oh no! Not my teddy bear, exclaimed my four year old daughter. No, I said, and not your bed either, just toys, nothing vital.
This is also fitting in well with my “declutter the house” goal! The nastier my kids are, the more stuff that goes out the door. At least I’m not yelling at them.
