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A slap in the face

Literally. My three year old boy slapped me across the face today. Shocked? Astounded? Disgusted? Me too, and they were only the initial feelings. The Super Nanny flashed across my mind wearing that let's-admit-it's-too-tight blue skirt and suit jacket, waving her finger towards me as she stares through me over the top of her I-know-what-I'm-on-about glasses with a mix of pity and shame. Well, don't just look at me, tell me what to do!

The precipitant was a request, then a demand that he get down off the stone wall and go to the toilet with his father. And perhaps I had entered his personal space, my face too close to his. And perhaps he was over tired. And perhaps he didn't really need to go.

But...but...but...

No way, it's not 'asseptable' and I know that. I told him too, pulling out my best I'm-in-control voice and life-lessons lecture about being gentle with people, listening to his parents and missing out on nice things. Sounds impressive, hey? Apparently not – just boring. It washed over him like any lecture would a teenager. My god, what have we created?

Posted by Penni on 30 April 2009 | 3 Comments

Tags: parenting, discipline, toddler, behaviour, super nanny

Be gone!

I never thought I could be so joyous about surgery, though having said that, it's not for me.

Since being tiny my son has been the 'steam train' in our house - walls shaking, curtains getting sucked in with each inhalation... The poor mite has always struggled to get enough air when he sleeps and he has always sounded like he has a cold (that pinch-your-nostrils-and-talk sound). And so finally we have shocked the specialists enough with his mammoth tonsils and stories of a daytime zombie that they have put him on the list to have his tonsils removed.  I can't wait!

Perhaps that's not entirely true, but to be honest, if the removal of those red, bulging cauliflower florets means more stamina and less whinging and irritability, then bring it on! On the flip side is the scary thought that my little boy will be going into hospital for the first time and attacked with a blade while he sleeps. Hmmm.

So be gone tonsils! Let us rest well overnight and play hard during the day (but not too hard that I desperately seek a reversal of the operation).

Posted by Penni on 21 April 2009 | 3 Comments

Tags: parenting, tonsils, surgery, hospital, sleep, breathing

Look at me!

It's amazing how tolerance and patience can be pulled out and proudly displayed when your partner is reaching the point of combustion.

"Here," I offer in a  soothing voice. "I'll take over." Since when did I step in as the voice of reason and calm? NEVER! Though it seems that I can and I have to say, it feels great to be the one to keep a cool head. Different, but great.

I'm afraid to say that stubborness has bombarded our poor son's genes. I guess we ought to pity him rather than punish him - it's all our fault. And so, needless to say, when the 3 year old digs his heels in, we react with instinct and do the same. Problem is, something or someone's got to give. "He started it!" my husband exclaims. "I can't let him win!" I scream internally and yet lately I have found myself saying "Okay, that's enough. Let's just calm down and be friends again."

Impressed? I am.

Posted by Penni on 7 April 2009 | 3 Comments

Tags: parenting, toddler, patience, tolerance