One thing that's nice about Rylee's age is discipline is now becoming much more communicative. She's actually able to understand things more and I can talk to her logically and reason with her and know that she's really getting it. Two fun things that have happened recently in regards to discipline:
1. She can start to choose her own consequences. For awhile we were having a battle with her saying the word "poo poo" because she thought it was funny. It drove us UP THE WALL and we fought for what seemed like forever with her about it. The more we fought, of course, the funnier it was to her. So finally, after a big battle one day I asked her "So Rylee, what do you think should be your consequence when you say that word?" She told me a time out. So I explained to her that since that's the consequence she's choosing, every time she says that word (aside from actually referring to literal nature of it) then she'll get a 3 minute time out right away. She tested her boundaries a couple times and I could calmly tell her what she needed to do and although she FLIPPED OUT , she obeyed. And that was that. I really haven't heard her say it in awhile and on the rare occasion she slips up - she's cover her mouth and say "oh no Mama....I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to say it!" :) It's cute. And kind of awesome that we're in this phase.
2. She did something amazing and awesome today. The kids were about to go to bed and as I was finishing up some things, I heard them start bickering. I told them to stop fighting, which was followed by a bit more bickering and a sudden scream and cry from Jake. I went around the corner and saw my guilty little girl looking back at me. I asked her what she did and she told me she bit him. So with Jake having a serious meltdown, and my patience at the end of it's rope - I told her to go into her room immediately and wait for me there. I was calming Jake down when I heard a shy little voice come from the end of the dark hallway. "Mama??" She squeaked. I snapped at her that she better not be coming out of her room. She needed to wait until I was done with Jake. Then she said "But...I want to apologize to Jakey" --- did my ears deceive me? She wants to say SORRY?? Really?? All my prompting adn telling her what to say...and now she actually wants to say it all by herself? With a little bit of surprise and disbelief in my voice, I told her okay and had Jake meet her in the hallway. She knelt down next to him, kissed him and said "I'm so sorry Jakey for biting you. I didn't mean to hurt you. I love you" **trying to pick my jaw off the floor** My heart melted and we all had a nice little talk about the right thing to do when we're angry and how proud I was of Rylee for making it right with her brother. Everyone kissed and made up and shortly after that, went to bed. I'm still in a state of shock a little bit. Normally when she does something naughty and gets sent to her room, she goes screaming and fighting and it's a big, dramatic ordeal. But tonight she acted all sweet and mature. I'm hoping this is a wonderful trend she's starting (although I'm not holding my breath). I know that as siblings they'll fight like cats and dogs but I want to teach them how to make it right when they do the wrong thing. Even as adults, we choose the wrong way to act sometimes in the heat of the moment. And I guess that’s something I'm learning as a parent. A lot of these "kid problems" that we deal with aren't much different than problems adults struggle with. While I'm trying to teach my kids how to choose the right thing in the moment, and make it right if they choose poorly -- my kids are teaching me to be gracious with others, with them, and with myself. Just like the Lord gives us chance after chance to be better and make things right -- I need to do the same. Praise be to God for that, right?!
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