IMG: The Life of a Home Mom

Two years old, yes, I’ve heard of the terrible twos but to be honest I never believed in them. I thought they were a myth. Keep in mind he is our fourth child, none of the other children acted up. Today I heard “no” over 40 times. I also heard him call each sibling Meanie head, of course many times it was coaxed. Needless to say I made the coaxer (is that a word?) write sentences. Yes, I give out harsh punishment. No not really but it will make her think twice before saying that word, that or I’ll give her some lessons in handwriting.

What do you all do when you hear words you don’t like? What happens when your little one picks up words from the older ones? Finally, what did you do to stop them? I don’t mind the occasional no because I think he’s just expressing feeligns. But when it is all day and VERY loud, it gets a bit shocked, especially in public. Is he too young for a time out?

All I know is I don’t want to hear the word “No” or “meanie head” for a long while. What are two phrases you don’t like to hear?

Post from: Blisstree

The Word “No”

These commands desensitize the word “no”.

So should we not be telling our kids NO? Is there a better way to tell our kids to stop sticking the pen in the electrical outlet? Some say in those specific cases we should be able to use the word No to stop our kids in their tracks. But if we use the word No too often kids then begin to become desensitized to it and will not listen when those rare occasions pop up where you need the command the most.

Personally I use the word No quite a bit and sometimes I think it isn’t necessarily the word but the tone of your voice and how you say the word No that becomes the most influential. If my child is jumping on the couch. I may avoid the word No all togather. For instance, “You need to get down off that couch right now.”

I have actually gotten pretty good in most cases where I don’t even use voices. I give my kids a stare, or I stand up snap my fingers and point where I want my kid to go. So if my kid was jumping on the couch I would stand up, snap my fingers to get there attention, and then point in the direction off the couch. My kids are at the age where they know it is wrong so I don’t need to remind them that it is wrong, I need to direct them away as a form of discipline.

I will point into the other room and they will get off the couch and go in the direction where I point. Not sure why it works but probably the look on my face will give you the answer.

I am interested in hearing how you avoid the word no. Personally I don’t have a problem with the word but I don’t always use the word. I find it more beneficial to tell the kid what they need to do rather than simply telling them no. Maybe cause I am a control freak and can find better things my kids could be doing like cleaning.

Post from: Blisstree

Desensitization of the Word No

Is that good parenting? Do you need more of a reason to say No other than the fact you simply just feel like saying No?

How can this backfire? Does it matter how old your child is or should you always have a good reason for your decisions? Is there really the ability to say no for no other reason than to say no? Maybe one of the following things are happening:

- Are you saying no because you are angry at something and feel like taking it out on your child?
- Are you saying no because you are lazy and don’t want to put the time in?
- Are you saying no because you simply have said yes too many times and you fear the child may be taking advantage of you?

I have always wondered what other parents thought about this. I have my theories but want to hear yours first.

Post from: Blisstree

Saying No for No Apparent Reason