Donna Chaffins
July 9. 2009 00:40

Amy - we don't usually have too much trouble with Cody as far as listening goes... unless it is storming or a threat of a storm.  Then all logic and reason goes out the door.   Otherwise, he really does listen and does what is asked of him.  

I remember when my niece and nephew were younger... my niece wouldn't listen to anything.  In fact, threats would just make her worse.  She was a very stubborn child.  She's an adult now, and I really can't say she's changed much.

Cindy Campbell
July 10. 2009 13:21

Hey Amy!  Well, we once took away Micharel's priveledge to use his toy room for a week, and it did not phase him for a second!  He was around 3 at the time.  When my kids were little- time out or more accurately "take a Break" (where the child goes to their respective room until they feel they are able to be a functioning part of the family) worked really really well.  Alexander just needed his tush to touch the time-out step for the tears to start rolling, or to start heading up the stairs if it was a take a break time.  Now we take away screen time, toys, books (yes, when you have kids who will refuse to tie their shoe so they will be ready for the bus because they are reading- you take away the book!)anything that will affect.  I took ocean time away from Michael (now 12 years old) because he was being unsafe in the water and was not listening to instruction in the ocean at the beach.  We stayed on the beach for another hour with him playing in the sand and chasing seagulls!  But again, the boys are older- at the age Markus is, Michael was just not reasonable and they just need to deal with your rules.
Hope that helped,
Cindy

Donna Chaffins
July 13. 2009 21:49

@Amy - you're welcome!

Cindy Campbell
August 17. 2009 23:31

I'm glad you invited me Amy!  And he will grow out of it, I promise.  Alex would tear when his tushy touched the step and not stop until I told him I forgave him.  Big tears from that little guy!
Hope you get through it fast,
Cindy