There are some days that parenting isn't very easy - especially with two three year olds.
The other day, I overheard a conversation with Charlie & Greta & I wasn't sure how to react.
Greta: Dad's getting old.
Charlie: Yeah, he's going to die soon.
Death is a big topic in the classroom these days & I remember Ella going through a similar phase, but it isn't any easier the second time around.
The other day, I overheard a conversation with Charlie & Greta & I wasn't sure how to react.
Greta: Dad's getting old.
Charlie: Yeah, he's going to die soon.
Death is a big topic in the classroom these days & I remember Ella going through a similar phase, but it isn't any easier the second time around.
Nick & I went to an interesting talk at the school about parenting - I ordered the woman's book & I'm anxious to read her thoughts. The premise of the book is to take a step back when your child is reacting in a "negative" way & try to determine the emotional root of their concern (i.e., don't take it personally).
That works well when talking with Ella (or adults at work), but we haven't quite figured out how to apply the theory to a distraught no-longer-a-toddler-but-not-quite-a-big kid.
We've got three good kids & the workshop was a reminder to give the twins the emotional space they need to express their anger & frustration, but also to work with them to create an appropriate avenue to express their emotions. The speaker had some interesting games to help children learn how to identify what their emotions are (though I haven't ordered one yet).
There are still tough moments, but I am trying to set up our days for the twins to be successful. So, before we go to bed, we talk about what everyone will do in the morning (get dressed, put pj's away, etc.) before breakfast. If we are ahead of schedule, I'll set the timer in the kitchen so that the kids know when it's time to get in the car (they respond much more quickly to a beep than my repeated requests to get their shoes on & get in the car).
There are still tough moments, but I am trying to set up our days for the twins to be successful. So, before we go to bed, we talk about what everyone will do in the morning (get dressed, put pj's away, etc.) before breakfast. If we are ahead of schedule, I'll set the timer in the kitchen so that the kids know when it's time to get in the car (they respond much more quickly to a beep than my repeated requests to get their shoes on & get in the car).
Luckily, at 3 1/2, the twins still give us opportunities to feel like heroes - like when Charlie anxiously told me that Riley said she was going to turn me into a vampire, I could respond "sweetie, if anyone turns me into a vampire, it will be a twilight meets true blood kind of thing, not an encounter with a kindergartner."
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