I swear to you my four year old is trying to do me in.
The screaming! Sweet heaven, the screaming is something no human roaming this earth of ours should have to experience more than once. And yet it has become my daily companion. The screaming of this girl accompanies me through my daily routines and threatens to shatter my sanity. I find myself inhaling deeply and looking in the direction of the ceiling, perhaps willing the Lord to save me and remove my ability to hear for just one sweet hour.
I tell you, I'm teetering on the brink.
What's a mother to do?
I thought I would get tough yesterday. I told her to go to time out. She looked my square in face and said "NO." I threatened, "You get to time out or you'll have an extra minute." (brutal, I know.) Again, right in the eyes, "NO." So I take her by the hand to escort her there. She goes limp (I know you hate that as much as I do.) So I pick her up and deposit her in the bed. This is bad news for her because our time out is sitting on the large bucket of dog food in the laundry room. If you have skipped that step and gone to your bed you know you are in deep. I wasn't prepared for the intensity of the holy fit she threw next. It was unlike anything I've seen on Supernanny and those kids can really dish it.
It was primal.
It was gutteral.
It was only the first 10 minutes of a 3 hour standoff.
Really, I'm asking. Begging, actually.
Can't somebody help me? I am 100% open to advice. I will not resent you for it and I solemnly swear to try it. So help me.
Wow. I wish I had some advice. But I will tell you what a counselor told my sister.
ReplyDeleteShe had to take my nephew to the bathroom, put the seat down. Ask him if he liked his "attitude" and how "crappy" it was. And he had to sit there, until he was willing to flush his "crappy attitude" down and come out and be part of a real family. She might be a little too young for that. But it's an idea.
When my almost 4 year old screams at me, I put her nose in the corner. Nothing fancy.
Hope something helps!
Walk away....Ipod in the ears...spa music...she comes out - put her back...no words....just happy music...smile on the face...peace in the soul. The best weapon we have is staying in control of ourselves...even if we're faking :)
ReplyDeleteHang in there...you aren't alone in this boat.
Hilarious... yet I KNOW your pain. My third child has the loudest voice of all, so you can imagine her scream. Lately when Sammie starts yelling and demanding things rudely of me I make her start over and ask in a sweet voice. Knowing that is the ONLY way she will get what she wants, she usually complies. Also, Nate's grandma once told me never to get in a battle of wills with a young child, as I, the adult, would always lose. When I get this Mom thing all figured out, I'll let you know.....
ReplyDeleteJoan Crawford used coat hangers! lol
ReplyDeleteUmmm, at first I tried the Christmas Story approach and put a bar of soap in the mouth, you know, your mouth is dirty, we need to wash it. But then I was informed that CPS doesn't like that approach. Whatever happened to letting people deal with their own kids, sheesh. Anyway, I started making them go outside when they yell. Yelling is an outside thing and we don't do it inside. Rain, shine, cold, hot it's outside with you until you are ready to talk in a normal, inside voice. It usually works pretty well. They hate it, especailly when it's dark outside. Just inform your neighbors of what you are doing, so they don't call CPS on you. Sheesh again, can't we just discipline our kids.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and keep us posted on how it goes.
xoxox
Um, yeah, we yell outside. Our fits are much shorter in the winter than the summer. :)
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