1, 2...(Time to make a decision)

This weekend has been very challenging for me. Jake has been gone since Friday morning and I have been a "single parent" for about 36 hours now. I want to first of all say... hats off to EVERY single parent out there. I can't imagine doing it by myself 24/7!!

Anyway, these challenges have been not only parenting alone...but also staying by myself at night. Which I might add I've adjusted to well! Today, I went shopping with two of my sister-in-laws...and 5 little girls...8 and under!! CRAZY, right?! So, during lunch I look over at Halle, who is smooshing her noodles in her hands and making a complete mess out of her fettucine, and I start to count.1....2...and she stops. See I have this "teacher look" that I use with my 2nd Graders. All I have to do is give them "the look" and they know that I'm not happy and they better straighten up and make me happy very fast!! Well this "look" also works with my two year old...most of the time. Although usually I have to give the look and say 1....2.... Come on parents...you know you've done it! So, one of my sister-in-laws says, "That doesn't work for me...Abby would just say 3!!" That made me do some reflecting (because that is what we do as teachers). Why does Halle always stop after 2? Is it because she knows she has a limit? What happens after 2? Thankfully, my 2 year knows that if I say 3 it usually means either time out...which she hates...or a spanking...which she hates even more. It doesn't usually get that far. But I can say this...if she pushes me to say 3...I follow through.

One thing I learned in my years of taking education courses was that you must follow through! If you promise something...follow through...if you threaten something...follow through! Otherwise your students (or your own kids) will know there is nothing you can do that is really ALL that bad. I like to get my bluff in on Day 1 with my 2nd graders!! he he I also have my bluff in on my 2 year old...and I'm hoping it will last for at least the next 16 years!!

So, if you are a "counter" in your parenting...like me...just make sure you decide what will happen after 2. Be consistent and follow through. :)