I just want my Mommy right now.
This kid absolutely melts my heart. And, I admit it, I am going to miss these days when she gets older and wants nothing to do with me!
Our morning routine runs quite smoothly, most days. But about once a week, usually on Thursdays, we have a very difficult start. The LO is tired, oppositional, defiant, and simply grumpy which has resulted in a loss of early morning television privileges these last couple of weeks in an effort to curb her behavior.
We have identified a couple of factors that contribute to this shift in behavior and we are going to try and figure out a solution as soon as possible because, as much as I dislike Mondays, I hate Thursday mornings!
But there is a light at the end of the tunnel...
Something definitely changed this morning. I told her if she cooperated with her hair and ate her cereal she could have a 5 minute TV reward. She understood and did exactly as I asked, eating every last bite of her Rice Krispies before throwing the bowl into the sink and getting her reward while I finished getting ready for work. Then, the whole way to daycare she was unusually quiet, almost pensive. I asked her if she was OK and she nodded so I left her alone.
Once we got to daycare, she held my hand all the way to the door and went to take off her jacket and boots without incident. She usually puts her shoes on in the hallway or brings them to her teacher but she asked me to do it for her today. I told her to sit on the floor and she insisted on a chair – specifically the time out chair in the office.
Ok…sure, kid…
I sat her down and put her shoes on, but she didn’t budge so I chatted with the office for a bit. When I told her it was time to go to class she shook her head and quietly uttered “I just want my Mommy right now”. So, I obliged. I sat down and pulled her onto my lap and she hugged me tight, burying her head into my chest. I continued chatting and noticed the time was quickly passing so I suggested once again that she go to class. And, again, she uttered “Not right now, I just want Mommy”. So, again, I obliged. How could I possibly say no?
It wasn’t until one of her best buddies arrived that she let me bring her to class. Once there, he gave her a big hug and the two of them ran inside telling each other all about their evenings. It was really sweet to watch them interact with one another. I didn’t pester her to say good-bye as I didn’t want to interrupt, I just walked away quietly.
We know that she knows the difference between right and wrong. We understand that she has a hard time these mornings and we know that she knows we are trying our best to help her through the rough patches. She has always been extremely in touch with emotions, hers and those of others around her too, and I am hoping we can reach the next level and teach her to reign them in and learn to express herself a little bit more effectively.
And I am extremely optimistic!
Just last weekend we had a situation in the craft store and I was amazed at how smoothly it went. She refused to participate in the craft class and, afterwards, all the wanted to do was pout and drag her feet up and down the aisles while I looked around. I bent down to talk to her and asked her if she was angry. She shook her head. So I asked her if she was sad. Again, she shook her head. Upset? Unhappy? Tired? Sick? No, no, no and no. So then I asked her if she just needed some quiet time by herself… and she said yes. Ok! You want some quiet time, you got it! I told her she didn’t have to hold my hand but she had to stay where I could see her and she agreed. And, sure enough, she came around not long afterwards.
I was very proud of her, then and today as well.
Our morning routine runs quite smoothly, most days. But about once a week, usually on Thursdays, we have a very difficult start. The LO is tired, oppositional, defiant, and simply grumpy which has resulted in a loss of early morning television privileges these last couple of weeks in an effort to curb her behavior.
We have identified a couple of factors that contribute to this shift in behavior and we are going to try and figure out a solution as soon as possible because, as much as I dislike Mondays, I hate Thursday mornings!
But there is a light at the end of the tunnel...
Something definitely changed this morning. I told her if she cooperated with her hair and ate her cereal she could have a 5 minute TV reward. She understood and did exactly as I asked, eating every last bite of her Rice Krispies before throwing the bowl into the sink and getting her reward while I finished getting ready for work. Then, the whole way to daycare she was unusually quiet, almost pensive. I asked her if she was OK and she nodded so I left her alone.
Once we got to daycare, she held my hand all the way to the door and went to take off her jacket and boots without incident. She usually puts her shoes on in the hallway or brings them to her teacher but she asked me to do it for her today. I told her to sit on the floor and she insisted on a chair – specifically the time out chair in the office.
Ok…sure, kid…
I sat her down and put her shoes on, but she didn’t budge so I chatted with the office for a bit. When I told her it was time to go to class she shook her head and quietly uttered “I just want my Mommy right now”. So, I obliged. I sat down and pulled her onto my lap and she hugged me tight, burying her head into my chest. I continued chatting and noticed the time was quickly passing so I suggested once again that she go to class. And, again, she uttered “Not right now, I just want Mommy”. So, again, I obliged. How could I possibly say no?
It wasn’t until one of her best buddies arrived that she let me bring her to class. Once there, he gave her a big hug and the two of them ran inside telling each other all about their evenings. It was really sweet to watch them interact with one another. I didn’t pester her to say good-bye as I didn’t want to interrupt, I just walked away quietly.
We know that she knows the difference between right and wrong. We understand that she has a hard time these mornings and we know that she knows we are trying our best to help her through the rough patches. She has always been extremely in touch with emotions, hers and those of others around her too, and I am hoping we can reach the next level and teach her to reign them in and learn to express herself a little bit more effectively.
And I am extremely optimistic!
Just last weekend we had a situation in the craft store and I was amazed at how smoothly it went. She refused to participate in the craft class and, afterwards, all the wanted to do was pout and drag her feet up and down the aisles while I looked around. I bent down to talk to her and asked her if she was angry. She shook her head. So I asked her if she was sad. Again, she shook her head. Upset? Unhappy? Tired? Sick? No, no, no and no. So then I asked her if she just needed some quiet time by herself… and she said yes. Ok! You want some quiet time, you got it! I told her she didn’t have to hold my hand but she had to stay where I could see her and she agreed. And, sure enough, she came around not long afterwards.
I was very proud of her, then and today as well.
Comments
Post a Comment