The most stressful and tense moments in our home are without a doubt, the hour before school in the morning.
Until recently Sam just couldn’t get it together. Seriously, he couldn’t get *anything* together … not getting dressed, not brushing his hair and teeth, not eating his breakfast, and he was DEFINITELY unable to come up with his toque and mitts. Many days I’d find him curled up near the bathroom register staying warm (weird but true … and yes, we do heat the house) rather than getting ready. AHHHHH!
However, since we purchased the PS3 he’s is a different wee man. Just check this out:
Not only does he know where his toque and mitts are … he has them ON! Priceless!
He was so excited the first night we had it. Turning it off and going to bed was extremely painful. When he asked me if he could play before school (we don’t allow tv or computer before school), I felt sorry for him and knowing that he’s never been ready and organized for school in his short little life, I said, “sure, BUT only if you are ready”.
He has been ready every morning since. I am sure there is literature out there that says “gaming” before school isn’t good for you. It can’t be any worse than your mother screaming like a BANSHEE and threatening to ring your neck, right?
Oh, the peace! Screw the literature.
Do you do anything you sort of ‘know’ you you shouldn’t just to keep the peace?
***
I am having another contest! For another pair of Bical Grippers. A bit boring, but I am LAZY (been that way for quite some time … a whole life time in fact). I will draw the winner on Friday, March 21st, 2008 (@ some time). All commenters from now until draw time will be entered to win.
Would you tell a friend? Please? See that little facebook thingy just below this post? That’s a great way to tell your friends!
MK xo
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I give my 17 month old daughter Mike & Ike’s when she won’t stop saying “please.”
glittersmama’s last blog post..Yeah, I’m Bored
My 3 year old is asleep on the couch instead of in bed. I just didn’t have the energy to fight with her into bed. So onto the couch with a pillow & blanket and made her promise not a peep. She was asleep within minutes.
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Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do!! I definitely think a bit of gaming is better than yelling and fighting with your son about getting ready :-)
I think all mums do this from time to time … we need *some* sanity!!
Hannah’s last blog post..Fight Like A Girl
Sometimes you just do what you have to do to survive…
Lately, cuz we’re packing to move, the precious tv is raising my children. sigh. Then you have to add the guilt to that.
Jamie’s last blog post..Colours
Whenever my three year old is coming close to driving me nuts, I’ll out on the Disney channel and that keeps him quiet long enough for me to regain some sanity. If he’s REALLY driving me nuts, I’ll give him a sucker- which he knows he has to eat while sitting still, in the kitchen. That occupies him for a while, keeping him quiet and not running around.
It is definitely letting my son watch TV. In the morning, while I get a bit of work done, I let him watch Kids CBC. How do I live with myself? I tell myself it has no commercials, is educational and he usually ends up turning it off himself after about an hour. I am not a TV person myself (except for Thursday nights), and so I always feel guilty letting my son watch TV. As you say, “screw the literature”.
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letting him sleep with us cause im too tired at 2 am to put him back in his own bed!
So great that you’ve found a trick in getting him ready!
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I let my kids watch tv to give my self some peace and quiet.
I also let my daughter sleep with me. She is 15 months old but I am just happy to keep her a baby for a little longer!
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Whatever works! If he needs that motivation, go for it! :)
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We used to curl up next to a register and eat our cereal every morning. A blanket over the register with you under is the best way to get warm.
Eat popsicles whenever. Usually she asks for another after the first and I usually say yes.
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TV! The best bribe, ever…
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Hey, you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do! My 20 month old isn’t really old enough yet for me to need any of these strategies but I’m filing them away for future use!
hehehhe…that is awesome…of COURSE i do “bad” parenting things from time to time…this morning James watched at least an hr. of Cars so I could clean the house. eh, u have to let it go sometimes! (and…OF COURSE the lil’ man sleeps with us most of the night and nurses…and i keep a supply of gummy tonka truck treats and lollipops in the jogging stroller just incase!!!!!!)
Sometimes (okay maybe daily) I feed my almost 2 year old chocolate (most of the time as a bribe)…no chocolate before what age?…and, why is it that bribing is not a good parenting tactic?…I don’t think the literature was ever a parent… :)
She’s only 10 months so I don’t need the peaceful tricks yet, but I know it’s coming!!!
We let the kids watch tv to fall asleep for nap time. I do not want to hear the whining and need them to nap some days.
Just think of it as getting his hands limbered up for writing in school! Enjoy it while it works, you probably feel a lot better sending him off to school without yelling at him!
My kids certainly play the computer a lot when I need to get stuff done! It too is a great bribery tool…
When my older child is in pre-K I let the youngest play with all the toys her sister doesn’t (she even puts them up high and I bring them down).
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