It's been a LONG while
4 years ago
Wednesday, October 27
Tuesday, October 26
Time Outs - Do They Work?
Today a co-worker talked about how her child did not listen while getting dressed and how time outs do not work. I didn't say much but listened. I couldn't help but think to myself as to why they don't work and if it is true that time outs really don't work on some kids. If the time out doesn't work, why? It is because of the child or is it because we as parents don't stick to our grounds and make them work?
When Maya was in her 2's I would have told anyone that time outs do not work for her. Maya refused to sit, she talked back, and would do whatever it took to get out of the situation. She would win over and over again as I didn't know what to do to make them work. I assumed time outs didn't work for her but then again daycare used time outs and they did work. It made me think maybe it was the way we were conducting the time outs.
I finally made the decisions that time outs were going to work and I was very determined so I explained the consequences to Maya and have stayed consistent in applying them.
We now count to 3 and give Maya a time out if she does not do what is asked of her by the time we get to 3. Thankfully the counting works and we rarely have to give her a time out. But when we do give her a time out, it is a task and takes time. First she must sit on the time out step and must sit there for 3 full minutes (1 minute per year). If Maya gets up, talks back, or cries hysterically we start the 3 minutes over again. We also use the microwave timer so Maya can see us set it and can hear it go off. There are many times where we must started the timer over a half dozen times. Once the timer goes off, we talk about what happened and what should have happened. We make up and go on with our day.
Are we perfect, no. Not even close. I just think time outs can work with a lot of determination and will power.
What do you all think? Am I crazy? Is there a much better way to discipline our young people? What works for you?
When Maya was in her 2's I would have told anyone that time outs do not work for her. Maya refused to sit, she talked back, and would do whatever it took to get out of the situation. She would win over and over again as I didn't know what to do to make them work. I assumed time outs didn't work for her but then again daycare used time outs and they did work. It made me think maybe it was the way we were conducting the time outs. I finally made the decisions that time outs were going to work and I was very determined so I explained the consequences to Maya and have stayed consistent in applying them.
We now count to 3 and give Maya a time out if she does not do what is asked of her by the time we get to 3. Thankfully the counting works and we rarely have to give her a time out. But when we do give her a time out, it is a task and takes time. First she must sit on the time out step and must sit there for 3 full minutes (1 minute per year). If Maya gets up, talks back, or cries hysterically we start the 3 minutes over again. We also use the microwave timer so Maya can see us set it and can hear it go off. There are many times where we must started the timer over a half dozen times. Once the timer goes off, we talk about what happened and what should have happened. We make up and go on with our day.
Are we perfect, no. Not even close. I just think time outs can work with a lot of determination and will power.
What do you all think? Am I crazy? Is there a much better way to discipline our young people? What works for you?
Satin Lined Hats
If you live anywhere like me, winter stocking hats are a must. We all wear hats especially the girls. The issue is Maya's hair is a train wreck all winter long thanks to the cute non-satin lined winter hats.
Thanks to Happy Girl Hair, I have found a site where you can purchase satin lined winter stocking hats! They are incredibly cute and come in all sizes. Check them out and share with others. Happy shopping!
Monday, October 25
Who Says Maya Can't Wear Skinny Jeans?
As many of you know, I am not about to follow the current trend of skinny jeans, leggings, or jeggings. I am completely content wearing my bootcut jeans and cardigans. I feel like I am dressed age appropriately and fairly stylish. Based on the comments I received, it doesn't appear I am alone (thank goodness!)
For those of you new to my blog, you can read all about my "jeggings" experience here. This is me in Macy's along with an entire department dedicated to the newest trend. I just couldn't help but laugh.
Although I am happy as can be wearing my bootcut jeans, Maya prefers skinny jeans. Actually the tighter the jean the better. I did buy Maya two pairs of color jeans that she refused to wear. I guess they weren't "skinny" enough for her so I returned them. Maya has 2 pairs of skinny jeans and loves to wear them. I actually have to hide them and pretend they are dirty in order to get her to wear something else.
This past Saturday, I allowed her to wear one of her skinny jeans along with a dress and her wanna be Ugg boots. Maya looked adorable! I guess you could say skinny jeans are age appropriate for a 3 year old :)
Sunday, October 24
Exercising on the Road
The last few days I have spent out of town on a work trip and a day trip to my brother's for my niece's 1 year birthday. It has been a busy 3 days. As I have said in a previously blog, Dave and I are trying to live a fit life. Therefore while packing for my work trip, I packed my gym clothes, sneakers, and reading material as I had great intentions of hitting the hotel exercise room. Unfortunately my expectations and hopes were too high.
Why is it when you are out of town it is almost impossible to get a workout in? Is it because you are asked to be at your work place at 5 am, travel 3+ hours, work all day, go out for dinner, and arrive back at the hotel at 9:30 pm? Is it because you are expected to meet your party in the hotel lobby by 7 am for breakfast so you can be at your next destination by 8:00 am?
I had great intentions of getting one workout in but the only time my sneakers made it out of the suitcase is when I need to get to what was underneath them. Sad but the reality. I do wonder how other's manage to exercise on the road. At least I tried.
Thankfully I am home now and can get back into my workout routine. It is amazing how icky you can feel when you haven't worked for a few days. Exercising is truly a high (at least for me) and I am ready to kick some Shaun T butt in Insanity!
Why is it when you are out of town it is almost impossible to get a workout in? Is it because you are asked to be at your work place at 5 am, travel 3+ hours, work all day, go out for dinner, and arrive back at the hotel at 9:30 pm? Is it because you are expected to meet your party in the hotel lobby by 7 am for breakfast so you can be at your next destination by 8:00 am?
I had great intentions of getting one workout in but the only time my sneakers made it out of the suitcase is when I need to get to what was underneath them. Sad but the reality. I do wonder how other's manage to exercise on the road. At least I tried.
Thankfully I am home now and can get back into my workout routine. It is amazing how icky you can feel when you haven't worked for a few days. Exercising is truly a high (at least for me) and I am ready to kick some Shaun T butt in Insanity!
Friday, October 22
Mom is out of town – Dad is in charge
Theresa has been out of town the past few days so I thought I would take over her blog responsibilities today. I must admit that my biggest fear with her leaving town was getting the girls ready in the mornings as I hear of the daily morning battles with Maya choosing clothes, combing her hair, brushing her teeth and other typical stall activities of a three-year old. I tend to avoid these battles as I go to work early before the girls are out of bed. If you remember Theresa posted an example of one of those mornings here.
So – how has it gone this week? Awesome to be honest. Both mornings Maya has listened to the music I have turned on, then got up and put on the clothes we had picked out the night before. She let me touch up her hair (thanks Mom for styling it for minimal work on my part) and she even starting brushing her teeth on her own this morning.
In fact this morning we had time for her to turn into a fairy princess and play in the family room for almost 15 minutes before leaving for school.
Now I realize that this is just because dad is a novelty and not that I have any magical powers, but I must admit it has been a lot of fun spending 1:1 time with the girls.
So – how has it gone this week? Awesome to be honest. Both mornings Maya has listened to the music I have turned on, then got up and put on the clothes we had picked out the night before. She let me touch up her hair (thanks Mom for styling it for minimal work on my part) and she even starting brushing her teeth on her own this morning.
In fact this morning we had time for her to turn into a fairy princess and play in the family room for almost 15 minutes before leaving for school.
Now I realize that this is just because dad is a novelty and not that I have any magical powers, but I must admit it has been a lot of fun spending 1:1 time with the girls.
Wednesday, October 20
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