The positive side of life
Sometimes I get so hung up on what isn't working that I forget some people might like to hear what IS working for us as a family with a nearly 18 mo old.
1. Waiting. I asking Finn to "wait" and then I count the seconds that we are waiting. Works well because Finn loves to count and he stressed the TWO. Now I don't always have to count because he will often start on his own. "Two..."
2. Eating at the table is finally working for us! I put him at the table, sit and talk with him and help him eat a little. When he starts asking to get down, I ask if he is done eating. If he seems to say yes then I start to clear his plate and then he changes his mind (usually). It's become a bit of a game, but this is a HUGE improvement over the previously held period of roaming toast. :/ He's also trying more foods.
3. Cutting back on whole milk a bit seems to be encouraging Finn to eat more solids and try new foods.
4. Asking Finn to help me get him ready for bed like giving him individual tasks (even if it's just his turn to do that task) such as sitting down, taking off his socks, rinsing his head.
5. Using consistent phrasing now that he is understanding so much more- I always say that I will "be right back" instead of swapping expressions for ones of similar meaning such as "just a sec, one moment, hold on, etc".
6. Identifying with feelings, mirroring them and helping name them for Finn. Also knowing when to not talk and just hold him and let him be whatever it is that he's feeling.
7. Being able to feel comfortable changing our minds on a decision without feeling inconsistent as parents- admitting to him that we are making a different choice now and why.
8. Talking a lot about using the bathroom, going "poo-poo" or "pee-pee" helps me know when he needs a change and is warming us up for potential potty training in the future. We usually say goodbye to his poo-poo in the toilet before putting the diaper in the dirty diaper bin, so sometimes he just says "Bye-bye" and makes his poop face.
9. Going to MyGym regularly where he can run around like crazy, socialize and expend LARGE amounts of energy.
10. Turning on fun music when Mom is occupied doing laundry or something else Finn considers less than favorable to his situation. :) The boy can really dance to old school Shakira. I'm not sure what gets him going in the CD, but I can see where break dancing got some inspiration. ;)
Anyway, 10 thoughts on what is working for us right now. :)
1. Waiting. I asking Finn to "wait" and then I count the seconds that we are waiting. Works well because Finn loves to count and he stressed the TWO. Now I don't always have to count because he will often start on his own. "Two..."
2. Eating at the table is finally working for us! I put him at the table, sit and talk with him and help him eat a little. When he starts asking to get down, I ask if he is done eating. If he seems to say yes then I start to clear his plate and then he changes his mind (usually). It's become a bit of a game, but this is a HUGE improvement over the previously held period of roaming toast. :/ He's also trying more foods.
3. Cutting back on whole milk a bit seems to be encouraging Finn to eat more solids and try new foods.
4. Asking Finn to help me get him ready for bed like giving him individual tasks (even if it's just his turn to do that task) such as sitting down, taking off his socks, rinsing his head.
5. Using consistent phrasing now that he is understanding so much more- I always say that I will "be right back" instead of swapping expressions for ones of similar meaning such as "just a sec, one moment, hold on, etc".
6. Identifying with feelings, mirroring them and helping name them for Finn. Also knowing when to not talk and just hold him and let him be whatever it is that he's feeling.
7. Being able to feel comfortable changing our minds on a decision without feeling inconsistent as parents- admitting to him that we are making a different choice now and why.
8. Talking a lot about using the bathroom, going "poo-poo" or "pee-pee" helps me know when he needs a change and is warming us up for potential potty training in the future. We usually say goodbye to his poo-poo in the toilet before putting the diaper in the dirty diaper bin, so sometimes he just says "Bye-bye" and makes his poop face.
9. Going to MyGym regularly where he can run around like crazy, socialize and expend LARGE amounts of energy.
10. Turning on fun music when Mom is occupied doing laundry or something else Finn considers less than favorable to his situation. :) The boy can really dance to old school Shakira. I'm not sure what gets him going in the CD, but I can see where break dancing got some inspiration. ;)
Anyway, 10 thoughts on what is working for us right now. :)