Splash pad fun today. It was packed. Packed packed packed.
I don't like going to things that are packed. Makes it harder to watch both kids and I feel like there's more barking because there is more chaos. This time wasn't so bad. Their ages helps. D is pretty sure on his feet versus last summer he was crawling at best. G is pretty self sufficient and just needs to be monitored for … well you know. Stuff.
I find that parents (moms in this case) that don't like to discipline are always telling moms that do discipline that they don't need to discipline as much. I am consistent. You can't push at home. You can't bully at home. You can't do it at the grocery store. You can't do it at the splash pad. I will find a place for you to take a time out no matter where we are.
And frankly, I'm a little tired of people looking at me and saying,
but he's so young! Yes. Yes I know. But if I don't start telling him what he's doing is wrong now, he won't listen to me at all later. The instance in question was D was irritated because he wanted a bucket to play with and the one offered wasn't the one he wanted. So he threw it. So I took his hand and said we don't throw toys young man, and put him in time out. No yelling. No screaming. No fit.
Also, moms, for the record, when time out is just a part of life, when it's just a moment or two for the kid to calm down and recognize the bad choice, there are fewer fits in general. Swear it. Neither of my children (and one of them is not yet two) get super upset about going to time out. They go. They say sorry mama, and then it's over.
But anyway it wasn't a scene at all. So I don't know why anyone commented at all. I'm supposed to just let him throw things in anger? I figure if I don't see it that's one thing … but if I see it? I have to do something.
Same with G. G is a person and when he gets angry he can have temper. He can push or throw things or whatever. When I see it. I have to correct it. There needs to be a time out. A moment to regroup. To find a better outlet for that anger. A moment of zen so we can go back and play again. Right?
Seriously I'm not beating these kids for small infractions. But I do expect certain behavior and they
know it. But the world is full of, "kids will be kids" and yes I do believe that. And that means the behavior gets a time out and not anything major. But that doesn't mean you just let it all slide. I don't want to shame my kids, or embarrass them. But they are young and can't handle their emotions. They need the break from the situation to stop behaving badly until they learn to breathe deep and walk away on their own.
At least that's what I hope I'm teaching. It's what I'm striving to teach.
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