Wednesday Chatting

Finally checking in for the day. I'm in the middle of a tantrum and a man baby tantrum. My niece is having a fit that she has to go to bed. This is nonsense, because this was taken care of a long time ago. But, she has idiot parents. And she has my mom who caves in, and lays down with her at naps. Then we have my dad having his man baby tantrum because of her tantrum. He tried to tell me we should take her downstairs (and keep her up until he is ready to be done working I assume). Not my fault you choose to work at 9:30. Then he's threatening essentially to run away from home. So, I'm sitting outside the door sending her back to bed. My idiot sister and brother in law, mostly him, keep her out beyond any hours a two year old should be out, making life difficult for the rest of us who don't let toddlers stay up late.

every time I think she is asleep and I can go, she starts again. Oh how I love extinction.

Oh, Jen -- I wish I had something helpful to suggest, but I would be at a loss if I were in your shoes.  I'd resort to bribery tactics, I guess (with your niece, I mean --- although maybe with your Dad, too!).  I'd be offering her things like promising to take her for ice cream tomorrow if she goes to bed.  I'm sure that's not advised by parenting experts!!

I'm not an expert, but one thing I'm 99% sure is true is that kids need routine and consistency (like dogs, right?!).  Things have to be far more difficult when parents and grand-parents do different things to deal with behavior issues.  I hope things get better tonight!

Speaking of those we haven't seen in a while... has auburn/Vivian posted lately?

Another busy but fun day. Willa had gymnastics (and did the thing where you start standing up, then put your arms up and bend over backwards until your hands touch the ground and stay in a bridge - unassisted!), then we had to run an errand, then we came home and scarfed down some lunch, and then met some (visiting from out of town) relatives at a go-cart track. The kids had to ride double with an adult but they still had a blast. On the way home we stopped at the farm to pick up our first CSA order. The kids got to pick some sugar snap peas. Needless to say I had a huge salad for dinner!

Tracy, there is no bribery when I do it. There is just silently walking the kid back to bed. The other possibility is going to the bathroom. You can do that. Otherwise, unless you're sick, you take your butt to bed. I'm so unbothered by the kid tantrum crap. The man baby tantrum, that's empty pathetic crap. My mom may panic over it, but frankly, I get paid to deal with tantrums. I don't care about the age of person having the tantrum. I professionally ignore crap. He hasn't run away yet. This isn't going to cause him to either. I do love my new iPad. I played several games on it while I sat outside the door plopping her back in bed and waiting for her to go to sleep.

Jen, I could use a manual on how to deal with adult tantrums.  Maybe you could publish one - I'd buy it!  Believe it or not, my MIL has been known to throw them.  I'm pretty sure she's done that all her life (based on things I've heard and observed over 20+ years), but seeing an 80-something year old woman pout, cry, try to raise her voice, and/or throw something is interesting, to say the least.

Janice, even when I was young and presumably more limber, I was never able to master the "back-bend" you described (even starting from a lying down position).  I had friends who were like rubber bands and I was always jealous of their gymnastics skill. 

I bet your salad was delicious with all those fresh, in-season ingredients!

Edited to add:  I meant to say that I haven't seen posts from Vivian in a while, and also Paige.  I hope in all cases, our forum friends are just busy enjoying the summer and various activities away from a computer!