When Emy was tiny and having a hard time, we did what I now look back on as a mistake, we introduced time outs, when she was all worked up, screaming and shouting, we made her sit by herself until she had calmed down. It didnt take long for us to realise that it wasnt helping things. These days when things get difficult, rather than a time out, we have a TIME IN and thats just what we have been doing this past week or so.
We have slowed down, we have swapped days where we have to rush out of the door in a morning to get somewhere for days where we can take our time, quiet cosy mornings to read stories, time to play games, to bake and to start on our Christmas crafts and generally trying to restore some balance to our days and being more in the moment
Hope your all having a lovely week
We are excited for the start of Advent :-)
I wish I had some words of wisdom but it's way easier with one child than two and I don't have any experience of that, really. I hope you find a way that works for you all.
ReplyDeleteYour window star is beautiful and those embroidery patterns are ones I've used (check this out from 2008! http://www.homebakedonline.com/2008/09/living-with-read-holic.html )
Thankyou Hannah, Doesnt C look so sweet and little in those pictures awww :-) Im finding it hard trying to balance everyones needs but taking some stresses out is helping for now. The embroidery patterns I got at the London craft show last year in a little flip book for £1, bargin! Im enjoying working my way through them all and its going to save me a fortune on cards this year ;-)
ReplyDeleteoh 3 is a hard age. i remember it well. and most of the time his frustrations were saved up for me. I know it's because he felt safe to vent with me but its so draining. Much strength and light sent you my friend!
ReplyDeleteThankyou Pip xx
ReplyDeleteWhat is a 'time in' sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteMy 3yr old is prone to getting stuck in a screaming rut.
'But I want to do .....
'ok, honey, I know but it's broken/not possible.'
'But, I Want to do that...!' Screeeeam!
If he is totally worked up I suggest a time out on the stairs until he is ready to stop screaming, but it can take him a looooong time :o(
Its so hard isnt it, when they are stuck in their screaming. We are going through a rough time with it at the moment and its times like these that I try and focus more of my time with them, when H has more of my attention he seems to handle things more easily, some days this means me sitting on the floor all day and just being there while he plays and if I can see his frustrations building up, Im right there to try and help with what he's trying to do or divert his attention to something else. Doesnt always work, and its not always possible but its what a time in means for us x
ReplyDelete