Tonight we started it with me saying, "yes". Monkey asked if he could play his DS. I said, "yes". Peanut asked if she could have a piece of her candy, I said, "yes." Sweet T asked for milk, I said, "yes". When he came down asking if they could play the Wii, I said, "yes." See the pattern? I was being the cool mom that wasn't in a hurry to get dinner on the table. No game or dance to hurry to. Bedtime was a way off so it just didn't matter. Cool right? I thought that this evening would be so great!
The Wii may have been a bad choice on my part. The next sounds I heard were not happy ones. Bummer.
What do you do when you have a meltdown and two of three kids wanting to lay into the other one? Well there are actually a few options here. Laughing isn't really very effective when dealing with them in this stage. Sometimes a glass of wine and letting them figure it out on their own, but not tonight. I also realized that they were starting to get hungry so, I grabbed the kids and got things out for them. They were so intrigued by this change of events that the fighting and tears stopped. I gave them each two eggs and bowls. I told them to crack their own eggs. Who knew that the smiles I would get from these two would come from cracking their own eggs and making their own dinner?? I let them make it and cook it. Sweet T wanted in on the action and so she was in there making her dinner too! No complaints at dinner. None!
Wahoo! Mom-1 Kids-0 Love my kids! Love how I can redirect them and have a good evening. They were so proud of their dinners and were actually kind to one another at the table. They deserved a movie night with popcorn and lots of butter. Yep that's how we roll when dad is out of town!
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