The last few days have been good, not too many fits, or "breaks", just lots of fun. The kids I have found, do really well in a store if I remind them of the rules, and the behaviors before we leave the car, and tell them that they can do this and we will have a good time. Basically I set them up to be good, and have a fun time, then just have to gently remind them when they get too rowdy. Reading the Spirited Child book has been really helpful in dealing with each of the kids bits of "more" and sorting through what is their tempermant and what is their quirks, and how to deal with both, Learning that other kids are like this is a nice benefit too, and how to keep my cool when they drive me crazy has been, for me , the biggest help. Now I know the source of the difficulty, and can address it, instead of the action which is often not related at all. This is a book I will refer to often I am sure!
We have instituted a chore chart, and the girls both have chores, some stay the same every day, but weekly a few rotate, and when Gabe gets older he will have some to rotate with the girls too. We have found that we need to divide and define our expectations, so this week Julianna is responsible for "polly's, dollie's, and bears" and putting them all away every night, regardless of who played with them, and Amelia has "dress up and books" to deal with. There are other chores too, and for every week of good chores they earn Disney Dollars to use in Disney when we go next year, and they are excited to buy fun, silly stuff that Mommy would never buy, only rule is no buying candy!!!
We have just finished writing thank you cards for everyone from the dedication, so people should get them soon, Julianna did most of the writing, and Amelia wrote her name and colored a picture on each card. They did a good job, and it was good homeschool work too. Gabe jsut worked on holding a rayon and coloring on computer paper, but he is doing better with coloring and circling, a developmental milestone.
We have found that we need to be prepared with activities and things a few steps ahead of the kids, but they need an idea of what is to come, so we are soon to be posting a calendar of events, with pictures of the days activities, and velcro sticky dots, so everything can be moved and rearranged as we need. This way the girls know when they can have TV time(after chores and PJs are on, teeth are brushed and room tidy) or when we will have snack, since my world is guided by snack times. It will be a simple chart but should help to prepare the kids, and remind them of what is at stake if they are really naughty, they could lose an afternoon bike ride, or walk to the beach. I had the girls help to think of things we do, and things that are fun treats, like movie or game time, and so they have a stake in doing well to get some of the cool fun things on the list. This is to also help save my sanity, since I fleid the question 100 times a morning, "what are we doing today?, when is it time for snacks, can we go outside now" This should help to answer the questions and encourage independence and preplanning on the girls part.
got to go, they are erupting into little squabbles, they need to get out of the house, even with rain imminent!!Sigh I hate to get wet :( Jamie