I've considered myself fairly successful in the parenting arena. I figure if I can go into a restaurant by myself with my kids, eat, and leave, only bothering surrounding tables with the stares and smiles of my little ones, I'm doing well.
I am, like everybody, imperfect and have my days. At the suggestion of a friend I bought Parenting with Love and Logic. She's used the school version in her classroom. I love it! It's all about giving children choices, the younger they are, the earlier they learn consequences and the prices are small.
Case in point: My son sucks his finger. I'm trying to break him of the habit, unsuccessfully. In the name of using love and logic, he received two choices. One, continue to suck or two, break the habit for one day so he could join us for soy ice cream at a restaurant after dinner. Not two minues later he was in his room doing his favorite thing. Later that night as we started on dessert he was gently reminded. Our heartstrings were pulled as we watched him bury his head in a chair and silently lament his decision. He knew. He knew the outsome was all his making. No crying, no screaming, no tantrum. We finished our ice cream in peace. He was even happy to leave and bounced his way to the car, probably relieved to be free of the situation.
I've learned my lesson. Finger sucking is his problem, not mine. I'll still work to help him!
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Remember what we learned from Bambi "If you can't say somethin' nice. Don't say nuttin' at all."