MOVarazzi

Friday, January 28, 2011

312. Discipline Is Not For Wimps

Last night, a crime was committed. Details follow:
  • Who: alleged perpetrator—my 4-year-old son Short
  • What: talking back, kicking, not cooperating, yelling, slamming toys around
  • Where: his bedroom
  • When: yesterday evening, approximately 7:20 PM while he was supposed to be getting ready for bed
  • How: the victim (Short’s father) was repeatedly kicked in the shins (evidence is exhibit A: large bruise)
  • Why: because that’s what preschoolers do
Punishment: the case has not gone to trial, but instead was settled out of court by a panel of judges (me and The Husband). It was unanimously decided that the accused’s new toy Hot Wheels monster truck from Target (cost: $3), would be thrown in the trash.

Result: crying, tantrum, and meltdown ensued. The panel stayed firm in their irrevocable decision.  Notable quote:  Panel members labeled "dum-dum poopy-heads" by the convicted, which is the equivalent of being cussed out by a 4-year-old. 

Update: this morning, the convicted child remembered the incident and the resultant punishment. We got to re-live the tantrum all over again (fortunately, a condensed version). The Husband and I cringed as if bracing for a storm, and we somehow got through it intact.

Final Conclusion: This parenting stuff is not easy.

MOV
("Mommy Of Villain?")
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9 comments:

  1. TamiJanuary 28, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Oh I do not miss those days. Way to stand firm

    ReplyDelete
  2. JenanyJanuary 28, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    Sounds like my 3 1/2 year old son could give your 4 year old a run for his money. Add to that, a 3 1/2 month old baby girl .. very HIGH maintenance, and you have one frazzled mom on this end of the keyboard.
    Thanks for your insights .. my bff directed me to your blog. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. MOVJanuary 28, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Thank you, Tami! I keep telling myself that if I am successful with discipline NOW, then when they are teenagers later they will hopefully listen to me since I have established solid guidelines. Right? Right? Humor me here ...
    MOV

    ReplyDelete
  4. MOVJanuary 28, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Thank you, Jenany! and tell your bff I appreciate her directing you to my blog. :)
    Best,
    MOV

    ReplyDelete
  5. SquishyJanuary 28, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    Oh did you REALLY throw the monster truck hot wheels in the trash???? THAT'S SO SAD!!! Couldn't you just take it away until Short got a grip?

    ReplyDelete
  6. MOVJanuary 28, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    I know, I know, it seems so wasteful ... but we have learned what works on our older son Tall, and so we use the same tactics on Short now. And sadly, that means some toys disappear forever (not always trash, but possibly to donate to a charity). The point is, when we make a sweeping move like this, the behavior improves dramatically for several months. I feel like the kids know we are serious.
    It pains me, though!
    MOV

    ReplyDelete
  7. SquishyJanuary 29, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    You are right. You are a good mother.

    ReplyDelete
  8. stephanieJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Shall I mention the Incident of the Play Doh? When accused refused to clean up? And 15 jugs were swept into the garbage with one dramatic, grandiose sweep of mom's arm? Oh, dear. An ugly episode. But completely effective. Glad to hear I"m not the only villain ... ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    Have you read "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" by Amy Chu?

    RJR

    ReplyDelete

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