Using Humor

Meghan - posted on 04/21/2010

haha, yeah as mom's we really could make a list hey? Poor babies, just trying to figure it out! I always say it would be SO great to be stuck in their little heads even for an hour.

Kelly - posted on 04/21/2010

Aww, I have those days too, and I know if I would just put on a smile and make a joke we'd both be in a better mood, but for some reason some days, I just can't do it....in fact, and I hate to admit this, but sometimes I have to try very hard just to not point out all the things he did to put me in the bad mood (mine is 5, so he knows what he's doing). I know that would just crush him, and I would never, ever do it, but I come soooo close sometimes....

Meghan - posted on 04/20/2010

no, thanks Kelly! I will look into that. Unfortuanatly today was a bad day for mommy..it started really good but as it went on I just couldn't get there today. It makes me really sad that we can go from such a great day to me being such a grumpy you know what...his cuddles and kisses tonite did help and I pulled it together before bed so he fell asleep with some happiness. Here's hoping tomorrow is a better day! Maybe parents should get a spanking sometimes??? lol

Kelly - posted on 04/20/2010

Have you guys read the book "playful parenting" by Lawrence Cohen, PhD? It is an older book (2001) but I like it, and he talks a lot about using humor to modify behavior.

Meghan - posted on 04/20/2010

You are right ladies...sometimes I look at his face and even if he is totally driving me nuts,I can not help but laugh! There is something so funny about a little angry face! Like Aime, said, no one wants to be dicated to all the time. I think it brings me back down to Earth to just laugh rather than get after him. As much as he drives me batty sometimes, I am also totally amazed the 18 months ago he was in my arms doing nothing besides pooping and nursing...now he seems to be a little man who just wants to explore and learn. As long as I chalk it up to that and can just enjoy him-good or bad, it will make it so much easier for us!

Erin - posted on 04/20/2010

We laugh a lot in our house. Milla is a total diva and keeps me, and anyone else, amused. So I also find that sometimes a more light-hearted approach is useful. She also fights nappy changes, and SCREAMS every night when I take her out of the bath. I distract her by asking her which song we'll sing - answer is always 'Row Row' or 'Garden' (Round and Round the Garden). Or we play peek-a-boo with the towel or her pjs or something. I think using humour or singing can be another distraction tool, but it can also make it easier for them to take our instruction.

Jessica - posted on 04/20/2010

It sounds like you have the right idea and you were insightful with the situation and recognized that it was an appropriate time to use humor, and that he actually just needed attention. I agree with you that you don't want to make everything a game so that he doesn't take you seriously, but there definitely are times when humor can be a great way to redirect attention as well as providing release when we're getting frustrated.

Not exactly related, but there have been several times where I'm trying to do something with my son and he's being uncooperative and I start getting really frustrated (like, trying to change his clothes before bed when he's tired and fussy and trying to roll off the changing table) and right when I feel myself getting to the boiling point, he cracks up and starts laughing! Maybe because I made a face or noise and he thought it was funny or something. But then, no matter how angry I am I can't resist a baby laughing, so I laugh too and it ends my bad mood.

Meghan - posted on 04/20/2010

J just needs to open it and pull everything out! We have a gate blocking him out of the kitchen (so he can't climb in-he has tried to climb into the dryer though) but the washer is right there and he has very looong arms. It just bugs me the most when there are dirty glasses and he grabs them and starts to pretend to drink out of them! EWWW

Chatty - posted on 04/20/2010

Roxanne has a strange obsession with the dishwasher.....she always wants to crawl in it!?

Meghan - posted on 04/20/2010

I think that he was trying to tell me he needed my attention. SO looking back on it I am glad that I took that time with him. And thanks for the suggestion Aimee, this will help a lot when I am starting school!

Oh, doing laundry is a big game to Josh!! He loves pulling all the clothes out of the basket, rolling them into a ball handing it to me and says "Did it mommy!" He loves vaccuuming too, I am thinking about getting him his own little dust buster! For the most part he is a really big help but I have to unload the dishwasher without him, too much of a hassle!

Chatty - posted on 04/20/2010

I also make games out of doing laundry and cleaning.....Roxanne LOVES to help me! Hopefully as she gets older she doesn't think those things are JUST for play cuz she's got another thing coming....LOL!

Jaime - posted on 04/20/2010

I think you were right on Meghan...I've done this with Gray as well. I think sometimes our kids help us to realize that we need a break too and spending time playing is the best stress reducer. I don't think you are in danger of making a joke out of everything because it sounds like you and Joshua needed that one-on-one.

Sometimes humour is just the right approach. Instead of yelling and getting angry, you diverted his attention successfully. You won't always have the time to join him in play time but he will learn that there is a balance eventually. Just enjoy your victory for today!

Chatty - posted on 04/20/2010

Toddler Keys.....what a great idea! Thanks Amie! Roxanne can't reach it yet but great to have!

Chatty - posted on 04/20/2010

I think "NO!" should only be used when absolutely necessary.......for those things that are REALLY important like ' touching a hot stove ' or ' running away in a parking lot ' etc......I'm sure you can guess but I'll say it for the record! I LOVE humor! Roxanne and I play the ' march game ' too, so often in fact, that now when she's somewhere she shouldn't be all I have to do is say, " MARCH! ".......sometimes it's followed by LEFT, LEFT.....LEFT, RIGHT....LEFT! " and she stops what she doing and moves away......she actually understands that it means ' to move away '!



Great minds think alike!

Amie - posted on 04/19/2010

1st... Google Toddler Keys and install it on the computer. It's a handy tool with kids around. I used to work from home (didn't go back in Feb when mat leave was up) and that program saved me a lot of grief many times.



2nd.. There's nothing wrong with using humor to teach. I've found it actually makes it that much easier for them to learn. Being dictated too all the time is no fun, for a child or adult. Making it fun to learn, no matter the circumstance makes it that much easier and pleasant to do. =)