Negotiation vs. Bribery

Discipline measures for a child vary from family to family and from parent to parent. We really try to do the same, but there is a slight discrepancy between what is actually negotiation to get our child to do what he needs to do... then there's bribery. The line is very slim.

I use stickers as a reward. Going on the potty. When I catch him doing a good deed. That type of thing. My husband uses stickers as bribery. "I you do XYZ, I'll give you stickers..."

Enter discussions. Problem solved.

Taking away of prized possessions seems to be the best tactic of them all. Take away when not listening/doing, earn them back when objectives are completed and asked for nicely.

At least that's what works this week.

Kids are Amazing

Until you have a kid, you really don't know the happiness they bring. I used to equate having a child to having a dog - definitely NOTHING like that! So as I meander through life, having a child has brought new and exciting things to life that I would have never thought of before.

Have you ever smelled cauliflower? According to my son, it is indeed a flower and you must smell it and not eat it.

Do you remember learning to swim? It's not very easy, but to a child, it's one of the most freeing experiences. "I can do it all by myself, mommy" and "That was easy, mommy" fly from my son's mouth.

What are all those things in the sky? I never paid attention, but now I do. Apparently there's a Virgin Atlantic flight every day at the same time that happens to pass over our house. "Look mommy, a plane is flying in the sky."

For some reason, it seems that since my son was born a lot of people in my life have changed -- for the better. His personality seems to bring out the best in others, including myself.

Despite the challenges of raising a toddler, at the end of the day, life is good - and it can't get any better than that.

Fighting with a Toddler

So, not only was the Sopranos series finale a total let down, but I had to fight with my toddler about everything this morning. Despite doing what all the "experts" advise to reduce toddler tantrums and give my child a sense of independence by giving him various choices to make in the mornings, I ended up fighting tooth and nail with my angelic(?) toddler.

He greeted me this morning with a smile. Ahhh... enough to warm the heart of any mother. Then, he picked out his clothes. We walk into my bedroom as I try to get him ready and myself ready (all while my husband also frantically tried to get dressed himself). Thinking it was a good idea, I offer "Do you want to turn on the light?" "NO, I don't want to turn on the light, mommy!" OK, I thought to myself. Whatever, I'll turn it on. You would've thought that I started World War IV! So, I reluctantly turn off the light to keep the peace.

I moved on to changing diaper, getting him dressed and the like. More fighting...Diaper vs. Pull-up. Then as I put on the shirt that he picked out -- another battle. He's ripping off the shirt as I put it on. Frustrated and angry (I am sooooooo sick of fighting), I placed him in timeout. How do you get them to sit still?? Yet another fight.

Today is swim lessons, I just hope it's not going to be yet another battle. I pre-warned him that we would be swimming. We shall see the results!

Off to the battlefield. Who's with me??