We started a parent study at our church last night(Have a New Kid by Friday).
Friday cannot come soon enough. We have good kids that are pretty laid back, most of the time. BUT....big but. Mornings are AWFUL. Getting ready for school for Zach is just plain painful. It is always a meltdown about something. It is not so much of getting him out of bed, it is everything else that goes along with getting ready for school. We have tried laying clothes out at night, we've tried earlier bed times, I feel like we have tried it all. We have thought about buying him a cool alarm clock....
For instance. This morning he got up, dressed, brushed teeth great. When it was time to put on his shoes, he had a meltdown. We gave him options for shoes,nothing. He didn't want to wear a coat. He wanted to ride in the front. I understand that saying NO will cause a meltdown(sometimes), but in my opinion he cannot always have his way. What works for you family? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
threaten to leave him, get in the car, leave him in the house, everyone acting like every other morning...except, just ride down the road or just to the end of driveway, it will make him think you are leaving without him and he will think second time around...when its time to go, it is time to go...or mom will leave me.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to Zach. I am not a morning person either! And I totally remember having meltdowns as a child when it was time to go to school. I think you are on the right track to not always let him have his way. I know everyone has strong opinions on spanking, but what we do with Mason is a countdown + spanking. As in, "Pick out which shoes you want to wear. I will count to three and if you don't put them on you will get a spanking." It usually works, sometimes ending in a pop on the bottom. But you have to follow through each time or it totally loses its effectiveness. I also like Michelle's suggestion above. Keep us posted on any new tips you learn from the parent study.
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