children

Teamwork

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We went to a birthday party a couple weeks ago at a kids gym. Jameson had a blast, and I had some great mom moments to share. When we arrived, Jameson called me “stinky” in front of the other moms. It wasn’t too funny until I realized that he was in fact talking about me and not about the birthday boy’s mom, which I thought this had been directed at for a moment, thankfully. However, birthday boy picked up on it and repeated it too. We affectionately use all kind of names like this when we tease the kids at home, but it’s being turned on us and has been a little bit frustrating lately. Lesson learned.

However, all was forgotten when the kids went in to play. Jameson was a non-stop ball of fun. He was loud, excited, but listened well and gave birthday boy all the attention. I thought he was acting as a great friend should, and was proud.

My proud heart enlarged tenfold when he asked friends for help picking up “kryptonite” beanbags with the sticks they’d been given. His beanbag was the last one of the balls and bags that had been left around the gym, and he was struggling when he said “everybody help!” and had four friends all help carry the bag with their sticks to put it away. Jameson declared “great teamwork!” and the instructor said that was the first time she’s seen kids help each other in that activity.

I was and am delighted with Jameson’s behavior. I don’t often get to see him outside home with friends, and also have the attention span that you can only have when you’re watching just one child at a time. It was a pleasure!

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life with baby

Saying “No” to Babies

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Jameson is newly-mobile and exploring the world a lot more. Consequently, he’s exploring things he shouldn’t, like the fireplace vents or the outlets. We haven’t put up outlet covers, and Jameson has actually opened the fireplace vent so we had to put a stop to that.

I’ve been saying “that’s not for babies” and moving Jameson to another area.

Brian on the other hand has been saying “No” and then doing some weird clap/snap thing that I’m assuming works on dogs, but not on a child (or at least, not our child, obsessively focused on all the fascinating, harmful things the world has to offer).

This is definitely two very different styles, so I decided to do a little research on the topic so that we can both be prepared to respond in the same ways to Jameson when he is doing something he shouldn’t. Here’s what I learned:

  1. Around 9 months, they actually start to understand you. So, don’t start earlier, that would be pointless. I was convinced Jameson still didn’t really understand, but it appears I am wrong (you heard it here first, husband sir). So I guess I will have to start saying it.
  2. Use the word consciously, in situations that are dangerous or when we really mean it. Using it all the time on little things is not effective, may discourage natural curiosity, or may encourage more bad behavior when they start thinking it’s a game. For little things, sometimes ignoring works best. There are also other ways to mean No, without actually saying it.
  3. Don’t spend time trying to teach them a lot. Babies have short attention spans. No, that will hurt. Or No, that will fall, are short and sweet. As one article I read said, “damage control” is sometimes the best option!
  4. They probably won’t remember that you said No to them before when doing a certain thing. You’ll probably have to say it again. Don’t get frustrated, stay even tempered.
  5. Baby proofing (which we still need to do) will help eliminate a lot of “No’s”. If we had outlet covers, we might not need to tell Jameson No. Though I’m sure he’ll find something else to go after, like the nightlight or the cords!
  6. This seems basic, but remove the baby or the object in question! Jameson isn’t going to move on his own. I have to pick him up and yes, distract him from going after it again.

So it appears Brian and I were close, but not right on target. Hopefully now we’ll be better prepared for the mad dash to the fireplace.

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