I totally agree with the PP that going outside is such a good remedy!
I think you've received some really great, helpful advice. However, after reading some of the posts, I notice that some of what upsets you may not bother the next mom at all. We are all different in what bothers us and the levels of behavior we are willing to live with (e.g., my toddler feeding the dog really bothered me...stinky gas all night from the dog was not something I wanted to live with). For me, the key was to recognize that it is okay if I am a type A when it comes to my kid feeding the dog or walking around with food (and therefore crumbs) that will exacerbate our ant problem. These might seem so silly to most moms, but they are important to me. So, pick your battles, let go of some other things, and then implement some of the many helpful techniques the previous posters outlined earlier.
A few things I have found helpful:
--Try to smile when your child triggers you. I know it sounds crazy, but when I stop and react by smiling before I do anything else, it's amazing how much better I am able to deliver my message because it is actually hard to get really angry when you are smiling. The smile starts off as a little fake, with gritted teeth, but in no time at all, it becomes genuine. And then the discipline message is so much more gently delivered and the child is usually happier to accept it.
--This sounds really silly, but when my dd was that age, singing discipline was helpful. For example, I would make up a little tune to: "Oh, you're throwing food at the dog now. It makes the doggy's tummy hurt when she eats people food. Let's keep our food on our plates instead. Lalalalalalala." If you are singing, it's hard to get mad and children love music.
One last thing, people recommended such great books, but one that might be helpful is "Playful Parenting"...especially for a mom like me who has some temper issues.
It's not realistic to be playful all the time, so be gentle on yourself when your temper gets the better of you. You've got a lot on your plate! Hugs!
I think you've received some really great, helpful advice. However, after reading some of the posts, I notice that some of what upsets you may not bother the next mom at all. We are all different in what bothers us and the levels of behavior we are willing to live with (e.g., my toddler feeding the dog really bothered me...stinky gas all night from the dog was not something I wanted to live with). For me, the key was to recognize that it is okay if I am a type A when it comes to my kid feeding the dog or walking around with food (and therefore crumbs) that will exacerbate our ant problem. These might seem so silly to most moms, but they are important to me. So, pick your battles, let go of some other things, and then implement some of the many helpful techniques the previous posters outlined earlier.
A few things I have found helpful:
--Try to smile when your child triggers you. I know it sounds crazy, but when I stop and react by smiling before I do anything else, it's amazing how much better I am able to deliver my message because it is actually hard to get really angry when you are smiling. The smile starts off as a little fake, with gritted teeth, but in no time at all, it becomes genuine. And then the discipline message is so much more gently delivered and the child is usually happier to accept it.
--This sounds really silly, but when my dd was that age, singing discipline was helpful. For example, I would make up a little tune to: "Oh, you're throwing food at the dog now. It makes the doggy's tummy hurt when she eats people food. Let's keep our food on our plates instead. Lalalalalalala." If you are singing, it's hard to get mad and children love music.
One last thing, people recommended such great books, but one that might be helpful is "Playful Parenting"...especially for a mom like me who has some temper issues.
It's not realistic to be playful all the time, so be gentle on yourself when your temper gets the better of you. You've got a lot on your plate! Hugs!
)and I just keep yelling "no no no! stop!" over and over because I know whats about to happen. He doesn't stop then just hits the cat with the broom. He loses the broom for not using it properly, and for stuff like that I do a time out. If you want to hurt a living thing, then you are in no way entitled to be around them, so he needs to take a moment to himself.
). She is very high energy and wild. I find I simply HAVE to get her out of the house. As much as possible! It can be as simple as a walk thru the neighborhood to look for cats, or flowers, or stones, or birds, whatever!
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