Project #3: Mommy, what day is it??

I hear that, seriously, 25 times a day. Maybe even 50. It took us a few days but I taught Emily the days of the week. She sings through them every time she asks what day of the week it is. What day is preschool? What day is tea party? What day is church? The questions are never-ending. Might just drive me crazy.

I borrowed my friend Julie’s idea regarding days of the week. I thought it was brilliant and am hoping to curb the number of questions I get on a basis. I’d like to eventually be able to say “Go look at your wall” and be done with it. Eventually. I still have to tweak my version a bit but we are getting there.

I first printed off pictures and had the days of the week on them. The next thing I did was attach them to scrapbook paper squares and cover them with contact paper. I then punched holes and attached ribbon. I was going to be all fancy and sew the days of the week to a larger piece of ribbon but took the easy route and used fabric glue. We then put them on Emily’s wall. Each day, she gets to turn over the previous day of the week. She can always go in there to see where she is at and what is coming up.

Stephen asked me why I didn’t print pictures of her preschool and church so she would know what day they were on. I was thinking ahead. I was thinking about Christmas break and summer when there wasn’t school. What I eventually want to do is print up pictures, or find stickers, that indicate preschool, church and special occasions. Since the cards are covered in contact paper I can easily add and remove things. Eventually that is the plan. I just wanted to get the ribbon up there quickly so I answer one less question about what day of the week it was.

Bubbles vs Rain

Emily wanted to blow bubbles so bad yesterday. She got a new bottle of bubbles and was itching to do some blowing. I told her that she could go outside after her nap. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas.

What to do…what to do….What do you do when your child is adamant about blowing bubbles? Listen to her scream or find a way? I chose the latter. Something with a nice and easy clean up!

Here comes one!

Joyful Modeling

Wednesday night I went to an event for our local Parents as Teachers group. The session was on the discipline philosophy of “Love and Logic”. I have skimmed the book but that’s about it. I wanted to know more about it to see if it was something that we would be interested in following.

Unfortunately, the information session was mainly fluff. It really didn’t get into the “meat and potatoes” of the book, but what did I expect for an hour session? There was one thing that they talked about that really intrigued me. “Joyful Modeling”. In a nutshell, it’s being a role model, loud and proud. Talking about what you are doing and how fun and exciting it is. Sounds kind of hokey right?

I have to tell you- it works!!! Emily and I stayed home on Thursday because she was was under the weather so I took the opportunity to try it out. Diaper change time- she wanted nothing to do with it. I didn’t *model* it so don’t be scared. But I did get excited! I started singing “Let’s go change your diaper! Whoo! Let’s go change your diaper! Wow!” I was dancing my way to the bedroom as I filled my living room with earsplitting tunes. To my amazement, Emily was singing and waving her arms into the bedroom behind me. EUREKA!!! I was thinking I was on to something and you know what? I was! Whenever I would get excited about something, she did too. She was more eager to help me with stuff if I was excited about it. Picking up toys, eating dinner, getting ready for bed- she was all about it if I made it sound like it was the funnest thing that I was going to do.

I am sure some of you have been doing this, but for the rest of you- try it! You will be amazed at the results! My child is pretty easy. I got lucky. But I am always looking for ways to make things easier and more fun. Joyful modeling might be a way to do that.

As far as Love and Logic goes, I think there are great concepts and some are not for me. I am going to borrow the book from the library to read some more before I buy it to see if I like it. I am always looking to be prepared for any discipline issues that might arise so that when they do (and they will) you will not find me sitting in the corner, sucking my thumb, wondering what the heck to do!