I know that parenting playfully makes the day go by easier. It changes power struggles into giggle attacks. It helps cranky kids (and adults!) switch moods. It allows stuff to get done, without constant hassles. I'm all for it when used proactively. But when kids do something you object to, can you use it then?
As an example, this morning my 5yo ds woke up cranky. In the course of one thing and another, while we were all still in bed, he "accidentally/on purpose" bonked me in the head with his slippered foot. I said, "Ow! Watch out - that hurt! You better not do that again or I'm going to take your foot and unscrew it, and put it up in the closet for a week!" Ds laughed, which was good, and we had a fun mock wrestling session. But then I sat up to get out of bed, and he bonked me in the head again. At this point, do I still respond playfully? Should I not have been playful in the first place? Maybe there are situations where playfulness doesn't really work, where it sends the wrong message? What do you guys think?
As an example, this morning my 5yo ds woke up cranky. In the course of one thing and another, while we were all still in bed, he "accidentally/on purpose" bonked me in the head with his slippered foot. I said, "Ow! Watch out - that hurt! You better not do that again or I'm going to take your foot and unscrew it, and put it up in the closet for a week!" Ds laughed, which was good, and we had a fun mock wrestling session. But then I sat up to get out of bed, and he bonked me in the head again. At this point, do I still respond playfully? Should I not have been playful in the first place? Maybe there are situations where playfulness doesn't really work, where it sends the wrong message? What do you guys think?
