Surviving Birthday Parties and Solving Tantrums
The birthday party went well. I ended up scheduling a gymnastics party, due to weather. The thought of 8 children running around inside the house made me a bit wary. Since my son has a February birthday, we couldn’t go outside. Also, because the age range was from age 2 to age 5 (his sister is 2), I needed something that everyone would enjoy. It worked out well. They were exhausted afterwards, and they fell into bed while my husband and I watched the Superbowl.
The new book is starting to take shape. Honestly, until I get to the midpoint of the book, it’s this amorphous mass of semi-connected chapters. But it’s getting there.
I never told you how I solved the Screaming Tantrum Dilemma. Remember how my daughter threw a fit every day at daycare when I dropped her off? Yes, almost two weeks of throwing herself on the ground and crying (after she announced to me her intentions to throw aforementioned fit). You know what fixed it? A sticker. A My Little Pony sticker, left over from the doctor’s office. On the second to last day, I showed off the sticker.
“Wouldn’t you love to wear this sticker?” I asked.
Her little head bobs up and down.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Oh, yes, Mommy.” She smiles, her eyes wide.
“I’ll give it to Ms. Lorna and after I leave, she’ll let you wear it. But only if you don’t cry or throw a fit.”
“Okay, Mommy.”
So I handed the sticker over to Ms. Lorna, and Miss Skippy trotted over with nary a tear to be shed. She even smiled when I left. Little stinker. 8 FULL DAYS OF CRYING AND SCREAMING, AND SHE STOPPED FOR A FREAKING STICKER?
Why didn’t I try it sooner?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 7:58 am | Viewed 2898 times
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
LOL on the sticker
Kelly Says:
Kids are strange creatures. I think I’m happy I have a dog.
Melissa Marsh Says:
That is FUNNY. It’s amazing what kids will do for a sticker!
Melissa Mc Says:
Good going with the sticker! Amazing what will motivate them!
YAY on the book taking shape! It’ll get there.
Stacy Dawn Says:
LOL.
Yes, stickers work magic in my house too
Crystal* Says:
Ya know…I’m not sure of the allure of stickers. But I swear that it will bring a smile to a child’s face every time. We give them away sometimes here at work.
And to be quite honest…there are days I STILL ask for a smiley face from Wal-Mart.
Hmmmmmm. No analyzation, okay?
Grins*
Tori Lennox Says:
Why didn’t I try it sooner?
Live and learn.
At least you can save it for future reference.
Lexi Connor Says:
Oh, come on. If you’d tried the sticker earlier it wouldn’t have worked. You know that!
Robyn Says:
Think it would work on a moody teenager?:snoopy:
April Alsup Says:
LOL! At least something worked! Sounds like the birthday party was a huge success. Congrats!