When we first found out that Henry and Emma were on the way we had said that we wanted to use timeout as the only punishment. Yeah, right.... I know how some people don't like the idea of spanking or anything close, but sometimes that's the only thing that gets their attention. We've done our fair share of spanking our kids as discipline and not excessively. We had tried timeout in the past and it had no effect. Most likely they were still too young to understand it. But we have started back up with timeout again and have found the key to timeout for twins. Our kids share a bedroom for now and we started timeout in their room and quickly discovered it was not a good idea to have them in the same room. So they each had their own timeout room away from each other. And it has worked wonders. At the time we weren't using our brains. For those of you that are parents of single children or twins, you should totally understand what I just said. After some time of being a parent, stay at home or otherwise, parts of your brain turn to mush and well, common sense/easy decisions become complex somehow. Anyway, in the past few days we've used what we call "Alone Timeout" with our kiddos and we think it is finally staring to sink in. After three days, several times a day, of being in "Alone Timeout" they finally listened and obeyed simple instructions and we finally had no timeout today. And it would seem that they are paying attention and it is being comprehended when explaining that they need to ask politely for things and treat each other, as well as Daddy and Mamma, with more respect. They never have been really ugly with each other, but it comes down to the whole respect thing. Respecting others, using your manners, obeying the rules are all part of not just an adult life, but a toddler life as well. I love the days when they don't have to be prompted to say their "please and thank yous". They remember that that is the proper way to ask. They both said this morning that they were done with timeout. Let's hope it sticks because today has been so much better for all of us.
We've got some major changes coming up and I know that I've talked about these before, but it's finally going to happen. Bedtime bottles will cease to exist and potty training will commence. And I'll post and keep you up to date.
And a little side note-tonight before changing for bed Henry had been playing with one of his trucks and a train and instead of just leaving them out, he put them away. And as he did so said, "I done with truck and train. Need to put away."
Jason and I almost fell over. We were so proud, but also wondered what alien life form had taken over our son:)
That's another project/thing/whatever you want to call it that we are working on-picking up toys. I have been a major hindrance on this one. Mamma is a neat freak and I tend to go crazy when toys are scattered all over. So I quickly pick them up and put them away. I should and am now having the kids do it.
More soon and I'll get some more pics posted as well. Remember, they move extremely fast and it's been hard to get good, non blurry pics of either of them.
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