Blimey - not posted for nearly a week.....what can I say? It's been a lovely week -Rob's been off and we've been doing lots of family stuff. Swimming a lot at the leisure centre, going to the park. Weather has been glorious!
It was Rob's birthday on Friday - we went out for dinner at Sapporo on Thursday night (they don't do the cheap buffet on a Friday) which was lovely. First time we've been out on our own since Toby was born - we've both been out independently but not together. Had a really lovely meal as always and great conversation. Very important to feel like a couple again.
We woke Rob up with breakfast in bed (toast and honey and cake!) on Friday morning. Oscar ate the toast and demanded cake! I'd bought Rob some old fashioned sweeties from AQuarterOf.co.uk for him to open in the morning. His main present was to go into town with his mate Rob and hit Charing Cross Road second hand bookshops and then Waterstones by the University of London. He got some books and had a great time. Oscar slept over at my mums and we had Papa Johns pizza and watched Pan's Labyrinth on DVD in the evening - amazing, if slightly disturbing, film.
In other news - Toby's sleep is geting better. Dare I jinx it? The last four nights he's slept from going down at 7.30 until 2am, then waking again at 5. He's usually awake again at 6 but if I take him into bed he'll doze with me until 7ish which is much more civilized than waking up 6 times a night! PLEASE let it last.....
Ok - Rob's arrived with fish and chips. I'm off to scoff....
Ok I scoffed and now am back...forgot to update on the elder child...he's been his usual schizoid self - angelic one minute, satanic the next. The naughty chair is failing to have any effect today so he was sent to bed with no bath-time fun - just a shower and no toys, no story and no stickers. About the worst we can do as far as punishment goes. Rob felt wretched enforcing it but Oscar has to learn that he can't push boundaries as far as he wants. He's been hitting us all for the last few days and I hate that. He actually slapped Rob's face (Rob was behind him on the stairs). But where stern voices and time outs used to work, he now laughs and runs away. Or sits on the naughty chair and burbles happily away to himself.
Any ideas for further punishments gratefully received. We don't spank or hit btw so anything apart from that (though I have been sorely tempted today!!! Bad mummy....)
Right. Think that's us up to date. Hope you all had Happy Easters and ate lots of chocolate.
6 comments:
yay for longer sleeps! Long may they continue. :-)
I know it's hard, but you're doing exactly the right thing in enforcing boundaries - he will push against them but he's doing that to make sure they don't give way - and then he feels safe. If there are no boundaries then kids are terrified and behave worse than ever.
So stick with it!
Love from your mum.
Glad y'all had a lovely Easter weekend. I could live in those secondhand book shops!
Oh, great news about the sleep - that's definitely a routine that can be lived with, as you have grown up time, and only two wake ups in the night. Keep up the good work Toberoonee!
Just about Oscar and his "moments" - you are doing the right thing. Hard as it seems (Rob!!) you have to be firm, consistent and together on this one. Even when it doesn't seem to be working, keep up the naughty step/time out/un-fun bedtime routine, and also make the opposites lots of fun so that he can spot the difference. Children are learning about the world, and how you handle this now is vital. You're doing such a great job, I can't imagine how hard it must be with a wee babe as well. Keep going and as he gets older it should get easier as well - sticker charts/toys on a shelf work with older ones.
You remain my hero
Zoe
x
PS just realised I have posted similarly to your Mum (Hi Mrs R!!) - just to agree with her further, a life with no boundaries is the very scariest thing that we can give a child, and they need to know exactly who is in charge and what's expected of them.
Glad Toby Toes is sleeping longer! Am sure it'll continue! Seems that once they hit 3 months the sleeping settles........just in time for teething!! Oh joys!
No real advice as for handling toddlers, just stick with what you are doing. Consistentcy is the key and you're doing fab!!! Finn has been pushing all the wind up mummy buttons today.........oh fun.
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