Even though my son has forgotten how to sleep through the night, I have to say -- he's at a very fun age. 2 1/2. On his way to 3, and quite different from the boy he was at 2.
His language development and personality are the things that are blowing me away. I love that we can (sometimes) have conversations now.
"It's time to get out of the sandbox and have dinner now. Let's go!"
Oh, no nank you.
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"Let's go to Wegmans -- time to get in the car!"
That's a GREAT idea, Mommy!
(I really come up with original plans, huh?)
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And of course, the little guy likes to try to call the shots now. Because he's 2 1/2.
A few weeks ago, he had a cold. After calling the pediatrician's office (because that's what neurotic mothers do), I was pumping even more fluids into him, and giving him a popsicle after dinner, as suggested by the nurse, to help break up the congestion. Of course, the popsicles were a big hit. We realized we could use the popsicle as a "carrot." Yes. I'm in favor of incentives/bribes when necessary.
Since I'm an advocate of containment parenting*, and I like my son to stay seated in his booster chair while eating, I realized that the popsicle may be just the thing needed to get him to cooperate and sit strapped into his seat.
"After you climb into your special seat and eat your dinner, then you can have a popsicle!"
It worked like a charm. We had several semi-peaceful dinners, with no in-and-out of the chair and stampeding around the kitchen.
But there was an aftereffect we hadn't considered.
The little guy enjoys the popsicles so much, that he'll now climb into his booster seat, -- at any and all times of day and night -- strap himself in, and ask "Popsicle, please?" Yes. He's even tried this before eating breakfast!
Now I need an incentive to get him to stay in bed all night! The stickers and prizes aren't working.
I think he's too young to get bedtime rules just yet, but I might be giving them a try anyway to see how it goes. Because I'm tired! and I'll try just about anything for a full night's sleep!
Zzzzzzzzzzzz
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*just kidding -- sort of!
I'm with you on containment parenting. If it would just work. sigh.
Posted by: vw bug | Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 01:04 PM
Hey, he is IN HIS CHAIR! I think a popsicle is in order! Of course, you get to clean up the sticky stuff! ;)
I think you're right about the bedtime rules, though. Too young. Just be sure to read a bedtime story!! :-)
Posted by: nat | Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 07:25 PM
And I thought it was fun having a 2 year old! bribery? I am all for bribery.
Posted by: Melody | Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 08:06 PM
I suppose he can leave his room alone? Brenna will sometimes get out of bed and rush the door when I put her down for naps. Breaks my heart to close the door in her face but she always finds her way back to her bed to sleep. Myabe you should find a way to contain him in his room and let him figure out that the bed is the comfy place to sleep?
Posted by: Jody | Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 09:21 PM
VW,
Good, it's not just me!
Nat,
YOU can come & clean up the sticky stuff! ;-)
Oh boy, do we read books -- piles of them!
Melody,
Just you wait!! ;-)
Posted by: Marie | Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 09:22 PM
Jody,
Yes, he opens the door. We put a gate across and he stands there crying/screaming. I have yet to let him scream it out at the gate! Though I did put a pillow & blanket by the gate once, thinking I'd get up the nerve to try... sigh. It may come to that.
Posted by: Marie | Friday, September 15, 2006 at 06:45 AM
Problem is, kids are smart. Well, about some things.
Posted by: InterstellarLass | Friday, September 15, 2006 at 03:25 PM
The boy will do anything for popsicles, that's so cute. I always figured out what my son's favorite thing was so that I could use it to milk good behavior out of him.
Posted by: Barbara | Saturday, September 16, 2006 at 12:12 AM
What a riot! I love how that whole positive reinforcement thing works, and then oftentimes backfires. But you are lucky that all it takes is a popsicle. Around my house we are into cold, hard cash. And even that doesn't work most of the time . . .
Posted by: Anita | Sunday, September 17, 2006 at 05:58 PM
Lass,
SO right. They don't miss a trick!
Barbara,
I like it. Hey, we've got to do what works!
Anita,
So nice to see you!! ;-) I'm sure we'll be right there with the cash too, as soon as he figures that out. For now, popsicles & toys seem to be the currency of choice here!
Posted by: Marie | Monday, September 18, 2006 at 08:45 AM