Raising Our Children Raising Ourselves-Chap.1

[foodmachine]

Hi! I'm hooked. I'm practicing the Self-talk with my DH. I definitely have a problem of opening my mouth TOO fast.
I guess there will be some clarification to come, but I little confused by 3 things:
1) Aldort says don't put in your perception or but has the adult saying "What a bummer" on pages 2 and 25.
2)How do you know when to "name the emotions" and when to steer clear (see example bottom p 24 and p 25)? Practice and knowing your child perhaps.
3)There is a lot of talk about not adding "drama". What is example of drama a well-meaning Mom might add?

Fun to get started!

[green_momma2007]

I think the S part is really good. I feel that most of the time I'm just reacting before I even have a chance to really think about it. So I will definitely try to hold my tongue.
One thing bothered me though. The scenario where she says that it's sometimes better to not say anything, the child screams at the grandma. I would totally be put off by that, particularly by a 5 year old. I'm thinking I would have said: Oh you're upset, Grandma's upset too. I feel bad when people scream at me.
I have a hard time letting kids be disrespectful, especially to Grandmas!

[Keeta]

Originally Posted by foodmachine

3)There is a lot of talk about not adding "drama". What is example of drama a well-meaning Mom might add?

I think she means not making it a bigger deal than it is. For example, if your kid falls and scrapes her knee, NOT saying "Oh, that looks like the worst scraped knee I've ever seen! It looks like it really really HURTS!" in an overly dramatic, end-of-the-world kind of way. Same thing with emotions. There is a way to say "That must have been frustrating." vs. "You must be SO Frustrated!!!!" I know my kid reacts to my reactions, so the point I took is don't feed the fire, just comment on the flames.

[green_momma2007]

I really like your way of describing it: Don't feed the fire, just comment on the flames.

[foodmachine]

:

[foodmachine]

Originally Posted by green_momma2007

One thing bothered me though. The scenario where she says that it's sometimes better to not say anything, the child screams at the grandma. I would totally be put off by that, particularly by a 5 year old. I'm thinking I would have said: Oh you're upset, Grandma's upset too. I feel bad when people scream at me.
I have a hard time letting kids be disrespectful, especially to Grandmas!

I hear you. I felt that way when Aldort talks about not expecting "please" and "thank you". I was like "but that's important!" However, I think Aldort would say these thoughts reflect our needs not our child's - our need for them to respectful or polite.

Of course isn't great to be screamed at but Grandma can take it .
I think (hope) Amber comes and apologizes to Grandma later.

[green_momma2007]

As I read this book, I feel a struggle to accept what she's saying. It's like I'm screaming inside: But if I don't do anything they are going to run wild and turn into crazy savage adults who don't care about others!
And while I was mulling over this thought yesterday I realized something. There are basically two ways of viewing human nature. Either we are essentially good or essentially evil. Even though I've changed my way of parenting in many ways to reflect AP, I think deep down inside I still hold on to the idea that we are evil. That's why I'm so reluctant to accept some of Aldort's ideas. I guess I think that if I don't micromanage my children's behavior that they will turn out bad.
So I have to keep reminding myself that my children are inherently good and if I provide love and guidance they will turn out allright.

[Keeta]

Originally Posted by green_momma2007

As I read this book, I feel a struggle to accept what she's saying. It's like I'm screaming inside: But if I don't do anything they are going to run wild and turn into crazy savage adults who don't care about others!
And while I was mulling over this thought yesterday I realized something. There are basically two ways of viewing human nature. Either we are essentially good or essentially evil. Even though I've changed my way of parenting in many ways to reflect AP, I think deep down inside I still hold on to the idea that we are evil. That's why I'm so reluctant to accept some of Aldort's ideas. I guess I think that if I don't micromanage my children's behavior that they will turn out bad.
So I have to keep reminding myself that my children are inherently good and if I provide love and guidance they will turn out allright.

I really hear what you're saying. It is a serious leap of faith, right? Especially since it's soooo process oriented and the results won't be in for years whether it was a good plan or not.

Something that helps me occasionally is to take your initial resistance about something - say, that your kid shouldn't have a cookie right now - and taking it all the way through the argument to the end. Why shouldn't they have a cookie? Because they won't eat "real" food later. So what? Then they'll be unhealthy. And? They'll get sick and die. Kind of taking it to the most extreme conclusion lets you see that maybe you can say yes more to your child AND feel less reluctance about it because your argument was based on a false premise. It doesn't always work for me, but sometimes it helps to shake me out of my singular "I'm the mom and I know what's important/right" point of view.

[AngelBee]

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[foodmachine]

On p 36 Aldort talks about a parent's response to a teenager having stolen something. While I agree with not saying "stealing is wrong" point blank, I question her suggestion to say, "I was sad". Aldort suggests this will avoid shame, but wouldn't making their Mom "sad" bring guilt too? It suggests the child has not lived up to the parent's expectation. The responsiblity of keeping one's parents "happy" could be a very heavy for child.

Can't a conversation revolve around the logic of a action? For example, explaining to the child how if everyone stole from the local store, it would go out of business and "then you (the child) would be sad if there was no where for you to buy soda in the neighborhood".

[foodmachine]

Working a night shift, missing DD and checking in. Any thoughts on pp?

[green_momma2007]

Originally Posted by foodmachine

Working a night shift, missing DD and checking in. Any thoughts on pp?

I have not gotten to that page yet, but here is my take on it. I think with a teenager you can be more direct and honest about how you feel about their actions. If my teenager were shoplifting, I wouldn't water down my reaction. I'd tell him straight out that I was mad and hurt. I think with smaller children it is good to separate your reaction from your feelings because they are more "tender" and don't yet understand that you can be upset at their actions but still love them. I worry that if I were to simply say "I'm sad" to a teenager everytime they do something wrong they would see it either as dishonest or that I simply did not care.

[Hazelnut]

ooh I have this waiting to be read-- hope to join you tonight when I get a chance to start it.

[edamama]

Originally Posted by green_momma2007

I think the S part is really good. I feel that most of the time I'm just reacting before I even have a chance to really think about it. So I will definitely try to hold my tongue...

Yes! I think the S part is key. It's really hard though to change your mind set. I've done it a few time and feel so proud of myself.

Originally Posted by foodmachine

I hear you. I felt that way when Aldort talks about not expecting "please" and "thank you". I was like "but that's important!" However, I think Aldort would say these thoughts reflect our needs not our child's - our need for them to respectful or polite.

For us, this is automatic. DH and I always say please and thank you and now DD does too. And if we forget to say "You're welcome" she says it for us.:

Originally Posted by foodmachine

On p 36 Aldort talks about a parent's response to a teenager having stolen something. While I agree with not saying "stealing is wrong" point blank, I question her suggestion to say, "I was sad". Aldort suggests this will avoid shame, but wouldn't making their Mom "sad" bring guilt too? It suggests the child has not lived up to the parent's expectation. The responsiblity of keeping one's parents "happy" could be a very heavy for child.

Yes, I remember when my mom would be disappointed in me instead of angry and it would make me feel so guilty. One thing Aldort says is how we are only responsible for our own feelings and we need to trust that our child can handle their own.


One thing I have a hard time with is that I automatically say "I'm sorry" when anything happens. Aldort says that can make a child feel like a victim and blame others for their emotions.

Also, I have a hard time with the E part, empower you child to resolve her own upset. I am very quick to fix things for DD or redirect her. I'm not sure how literally to take this since DD is almost 2, there are lots of things she can't really do. How does the E work with a toddler?

[Keeta]

Originally Posted by allielb

One thing I have a hard time with is that I automatically say "I'm sorry" when anything happens. Aldort says that can make a child feel like a victim and blame others for their emotions.

I know, this one is hard for me, too. I think I might try to switch over to "Oh no, ______ happened" and then eventually phase out the "Oh no" part. Baby steps are good steps!

Originally Posted by allielb

Also, I have a hard time with the E part, empower you child to resolve her own upset. I am very quick to fix things for DD or redirect her. I'm not sure how literally to take this since DD is almost 2, there are lots of things she can't really do. How does the E work with a toddler?

My guy is 2.5, so I hear ya. The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is to possibly brainstorm some choices for the next step? Or by providing options is that limiting their universe too much? Maybe even a more open-ended question would be helpful, like "What should we do next?" I can see DS answering this one both on topic (like "clean up the spilled juice with a towel") or totally not ("Watch Clifford!" )

Not sure on this one. Sometimes I find that it's helpful to provide a real-life situation that happened, and then we can provide ideas for what the E would look like...

ETA: Are we going to be ready to move on to Chapter 2 tomorrow? Foodmachine, do you want to start the thread again, or would someone else like to take the mantle? I haven't read it yet, so I could start a thread but not really comment on the chapter meaningfully.

[green_momma2007]

I started the chapter 2 thread, but I believe it has to be approved by a moderator, so it may take a while to show up. Happy reading!

[foodmachine]

The Chapter 2 thread is up. See you all over there soon.

[edamama]

Originally Posted by Keeta

I know, this one is hard for me, too. I think I might try to switch over to "Oh no, ______ happened" and then eventually phase out the "Oh no" part. Baby steps are good steps!



My guy is 2.5, so I hear ya. The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is to possibly brainstorm some choices for the next step? Or by providing options is that limiting their universe too much? Maybe even a more open-ended question would be helpful, like "What should we do next?" I can see DS answering this one both on topic (like "clean up the spilled juice with a towel") or totally not ("Watch Clifford!" )

Thanks, both of those suggestions are helpful!

[foodmachine]

Originally Posted by Hazelnut

ooh I have this waiting to be read-- hope to join you tonight when I get a chance to start it.

Welcome Hazelnut!

[Super Glue Mommy]

Originally Posted by foodmachine

Hi! I'm hooked. I'm practicing the Self-talk with my DH. I definitely have a problem of opening my mouth TOO fast.
I guess there will be some clarification to come, but I little confused by 3 things:
1) Aldort says don't put in your perception or but has the adult saying "What a bummer" on pages 2 and 25.
2)How do you know when to "name the emotions" and when to steer clear (see example bottom p 24 and p 25)? Practice and knowing your child perhaps.
3)There is a lot of talk about not adding "drama". What is example of drama a well-meaning Mom might add?

Fun to get started!

just started reading not all the way through the chapter yet but I am a drama adder and I didnt realize it! Im going to tone it down and try to just be more reflective!