If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know that I really ascribe to the “Love and Logic” parenting program. I wish I was a thousand million times better at it. The following is a conversation where I actually did it perfectly (see my italics for the editor’s notes and L&L descriptions) and, well… why don’t you just read to see my results:
Seth: “Wah wah wah! Gabe is doing blah blah blah same old whine something mean to me!”
Mom: (Displaying empathy, when she really just wants one single solitary morning where the boys do not fight before school) “Oh, that’s no fun! Sorry, bud. What are you going to do about it? (Making the issue HIS problem, not Mom’s.)
Seth: “I don’t know!! I already tried that Ignoring One you always say!”
Mom: (Classic Love and Logic here: helping the child problem solve, but not forcing) “Would you like me to give you some ideas?”
Seth: “Uh-huh!”
Mom: (As L&L suggests, she throws out some outrageous ones that the child can reject first, because who wants to listen to dumb ol’ mom, anyway?) “Why don’t you go punch Gabe in the stomach!?”
Seth: “No! He would fight me back and he’s better at fighting than me!”
Mom: (Throwing out another TOTALLY outrageous suggestion, while preparing her rational suggestion that Seth go do his dishwasher job and laundry cubbie, so he doesn’t have to be around Gabe) “I know! How about you go cover your ears in TAPE so you don’t have to hear what Gabe says to you!?”
(And here’s where it all breaks down…)
Seth: “Oh! OKAY!”
He returns, 2 minutes later.
Seth: “Mom! That was a great idea! I can’t even hear him in here!”
I give up.
For ideas that actually work…head over to Stie’s How to Tuesday!
25 comments:
The picture just makes it! That is classic.
I pretty much suck at Love and Logic. I try, I really do, but it is SOOOOO against my nature and it's hard to teach an OLD dog new tricks. I still try, but I do suck. Good thing my kids have an awesome father who will save them.
This is totally not silly, it is genius! I am heading to find some tape for my OWN ears.
Seriously. Someone around here whistles NON STOP. I am praying for my ear drums to rupture to MAKE IT STOP ALREADY. I think the tape might work better.
And, um, yes, coconut cake balls will help you recover from your marathon. Consider it done. :-)
I LOVE Seth. No, seriously, I do.
Pat yourself on the back. The Love and Logic really did work in this instance. He was redirected and used his energy to find a way to ignore Gabe. Tell yourself what a stellar mom you are!!!
I'm sorry...but this really was kind of hilarious.
Hilarious. I've never taken a L&L class so I don't know if they teach about accounting for stages of development when offering suggestions. But now you know--don't offer crazy suggestions that might be interpreted literally.
This story is just too funny.
Still smiling after a good laugh. Jessica....as always....you rock! THANK YOU!
Ha ha, this is totally awesome. It all depends on the kid, huh? Some things work with one, other things work with another. This really is pure genius, and I am going to suggest it as a solution for my boys when ignoring just ain't cuttin' it. LOVE IT!
Hilarious!!! I love that kid! Of course, who doesn't:) Campbell loves to talk about Seth at least 4 times a day. "well Seth likes this" and so on and on.
that is not a FAIL. It totally solved the problem. Congrats.
One more reason for me to love that boy! Tell Gabe I am going to beat him up if he doesn't stop picking Seth!
i'm with paige...problem solved!!
Hilarious! And successful!
Does it count if it is ME taping their ears?
Or their mouths?
I suppose that would not be them solving their own problems. But still. So tempting.
That's AWESOME!!!!!
Hilarious!!
It's my first time to comment.
I'm a mom of 4 and my oldest is 7. I think your blog is great! I would love to hear how you organize your chores with your kids. That is my next goal and you seem to have a good system!
HILARIOUS!!!
Keep up the good work, you wonderful mom you!
Seriously, I'm waiting for your parenting book to come out.
i've had to put blogging on hold during this grad school thing. but i am beyond happy that i decided to check in and see what you were up to. this was so worth it.
I think you might be onto something with the tape covered ears, love and logic notwithstanding.
Seth might just be the most classic kid ever!
I am so glad I am not the only one!!
Kids are way too smart these days. :)
Oh my funny.
Just for the record both of my kids would have gone with the punching their sibling in the stomach. Your children rock!
Thanks for sharing this story. I love it!! And I'm going to try doing this with my kids tomorrow.
oh my goodness...you couldn't make this stuff up and be more funny. ha!! makes me want to learn more bout love and logic :)
When we get together can you give me a parenting lesson? Seriously. Problem solved and a funny story to boot!
I know this post is old, but I never commented on it and I absolutely LOVED it. Seth sounds hilarious. What a fun kid to have in your family.
I have been meaning to read Love and Logic and still haven't done it. I am going to move it up my to read list today!
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