Monday through Friday I unfortunately spend only about two hours with Julianna. I plunge through Atlanta traffic after leaving work around 5:15 or so, and arrive at Julie's daycare, only 12 miles away, at 6:00pm. It bothers me profusely some days, but it's what our schedule is right now, so I deal with it.
From there, depending on if I'm cooking lavishly, getting take-out, or my fav, heating leftovers, I scramble to get her fed or relax and soak-in every second with her until Josh gets home from work and we bathe her, read some books, then she heads-off to bed around 8:00. Although she's been pushing it until 8:30 some nights lately, which I secretly really don't mind.
Tonight was a leftover night since I made a ton of southern style chicken and rice last night. TG, because the cooking nights usually leave me feeling guilty about not giving her more attention during this treasured time. We played with Dawn dish soap bubbles in the kitchen and did a photo shoot, despite my allergies and runny eyes from the first-signs of spring. Apparently, Georgia allergy-season may leave me blind.
The night was pretty relaxed and fun, until it became the eventful night of a first. Julie had her first time-out tonight.
I will admit this was probably quite overdue.
She's an overall pretty great toddler. Well-behaved, she listens pretty good for a 20 month-old and when she is bad, we usually reprimand her verbally, and move on. The problem is, her testing is becoming more frequent and a lot worse...basically it's time for some real discipline. I'm so worried that as an only-child, she'll become a spoiled, bratty kid, who gets away with way murder.
It's really odd that Josh and I have not discussed it much, but we have the same views about discipline. We both agree that we will never, ever hit or even smack a little hand. It's not that I have a problem with parents who do, it's just not right for our family. I haven't read a million parenting books to know why I formed this opinion, I just have, and Josh was a childhood development major, so he's probably read way too many books about why he chooses not to.
So after she threw her food at me, on purpose, not in a loving/joking way. We both knew a little no-no just wouldn't work. It was the third time this week.
Josh took the initiative and we just glanced at each other kinda knowing what the other was thinking. Josh announced it was time-out time and he carried her up to her crib. We made her sit there in quiet for about 2 minutes. She was crying, but we both whispered how shocking it was that she wasn't wailing her head-off. At the 2 minute mark, I said "OK it's time, I want to be the hero"... so up the stairs I went to get my baby.
As soon as she saw me, the total WAILING started. "Time-out is over now, Mommy's here, it's OK baby" upon which she threw herself in the corner of the other side of the crib and yelled DADDY!!
WTF, does she not remember who PUT her in the timeout vs. who creatively mixed water and Dawn to make the coolest kitchen bubbles ever! Making my point from the last post even more prevalent.
From there, depending on if I'm cooking lavishly, getting take-out, or my fav, heating leftovers, I scramble to get her fed or relax and soak-in every second with her until Josh gets home from work and we bathe her, read some books, then she heads-off to bed around 8:00. Although she's been pushing it until 8:30 some nights lately, which I secretly really don't mind.
Tonight was a leftover night since I made a ton of southern style chicken and rice last night. TG, because the cooking nights usually leave me feeling guilty about not giving her more attention during this treasured time. We played with Dawn dish soap bubbles in the kitchen and did a photo shoot, despite my allergies and runny eyes from the first-signs of spring. Apparently, Georgia allergy-season may leave me blind.
The night was pretty relaxed and fun, until it became the eventful night of a first. Julie had her first time-out tonight.
I will admit this was probably quite overdue.
She's an overall pretty great toddler. Well-behaved, she listens pretty good for a 20 month-old and when she is bad, we usually reprimand her verbally, and move on. The problem is, her testing is becoming more frequent and a lot worse...basically it's time for some real discipline. I'm so worried that as an only-child, she'll become a spoiled, bratty kid, who gets away with way murder.
It's really odd that Josh and I have not discussed it much, but we have the same views about discipline. We both agree that we will never, ever hit or even smack a little hand. It's not that I have a problem with parents who do, it's just not right for our family. I haven't read a million parenting books to know why I formed this opinion, I just have, and Josh was a childhood development major, so he's probably read way too many books about why he chooses not to.
So after she threw her food at me, on purpose, not in a loving/joking way. We both knew a little no-no just wouldn't work. It was the third time this week.
Josh took the initiative and we just glanced at each other kinda knowing what the other was thinking. Josh announced it was time-out time and he carried her up to her crib. We made her sit there in quiet for about 2 minutes. She was crying, but we both whispered how shocking it was that she wasn't wailing her head-off. At the 2 minute mark, I said "OK it's time, I want to be the hero"... so up the stairs I went to get my baby.
As soon as she saw me, the total WAILING started. "Time-out is over now, Mommy's here, it's OK baby" upon which she threw herself in the corner of the other side of the crib and yelled DADDY!!
WTF, does she not remember who PUT her in the timeout vs. who creatively mixed water and Dawn to make the coolest kitchen bubbles ever! Making my point from the last post even more prevalent.
Happy girl before Daddy gets home. And before time-outs and temper tantrums.
This is what my right eye looks like by the end of the day from tearing so much. Everyone at work...I'm not crying, it's allergies :)
In a rare photo opp these days....Mommy and Julianna!
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So cute Anne. Hopefully there will not be too many more time-outs in her future.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Tonight was much better!
ReplyDeleteYou are right- mommy/baby pictures are the HARDEST to come by (especially because my hubby isn't GOOD at taking pictures, so half the ones he takes turn out awful!).
ReplyDeleteGuess what? You won the Avon book giveaway! CONGRATS! Email me to claim it and give me your mailing info :)
~Elizabeth
Confsesions From A Working Mom