The Hardass Approach
It started with banning certain foods for the week. It was foods that created massive messes from misuse. On the list was mango cups (chunks in juice), syrup, and coconut water. Why? Because the kids got it EVERYWHERE. I'm talking a good 6 inches worth of mess on the table...from each food.
I grabbed a trash bag and started bagging up toys.
Refuse to listen? I'll get a bag.
Yell at me? Oh look, a trash bag.
Leaving toys out after I said pick them up? Hmm guess where they're going.
Things like this?
At one point I'd taken away 95% of their toys and said I'd be getting a bag. Boy1 commented that I'd already taken everything...in a tone that said "haha, I win."
Nope.
Camp One was cheering me on and telling me that I just needed to hold out before I saw results.
Camp Two saw the frustration and assumed it wasn't working.
Well, the verdict is in.....
And it's working.
At first it was SO MINUTE I didn't notice until hours later. For instance, at one point Boy1 demanded I get him some water. I calmly told him that there was a cup on the kitchen table and he could walk in there and get it. He yelled that he wanted it in his water bottle. I refused and ignored his next attempt to yell. He paused, sighed, "okay" and went to get it.
Now, for someone who's kid doesn't fight them on everything? You don't see that as a triumph. For me with the child that needs a stronger word than "stubborn?" THAT WAS FREAKING HUGE!
Yesterday was full of better choices and better listening. Tonight I'm going to work on a "Good Choices" chart or something because I actually CAN now.
But Kas, you're asking, what about all of their toys?
I'll keep you updated on the progress. But I'm excited that I FINALLY DID SOMETHING RIGHT parenting wise.