Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Run Away....
Anna is for sure an 18 month old in its fullest! She is so different than Ellie was at this age. Ellie had barely been walking and she also had a new baby sister. Wow those were the days. I am uncertain sometimes how to handle certain situations cause I really didn't face them with Ellie. Anna is everywhere and exploring everything. I know some of this comes with her age. However, I think she is starting to understand boundaries. I was wondering how my blogging friends with toddlers would handle these situations. Tonight, I took the girls to the mall playground to play. Anna loves it and is very good at climbing on everything. She is always content just playing there. However, tonight she was intrigued by something outside of the playground or wanted to play chase with me. I'm not sure which one was going on in her mind. However, she ran out of the playground about 5 times and then a few times kept running away from me down the hallway. She seems to do this a lot even at home when I am trying to change her diaper etc....I was firm with her each time tonight and spanked her hand/thigh in private! I made her sit by me in t.o., but this doesn't really work at her age. I eventually told them we had to leave cause Anna was being disobedient. I can see this needing to happen more in the future. I don't want to stay and reward them if they are misbehaving. She also loves to try and get out of her high chair. It is another situation I don't know how to handle. I know that I have about 3-4 months until she will really get it. She is such a sweetie and I love her lack of fear. I can sense that she will be a leader with lots of determination and I don't want to hold her back. However, I need her to listen to mommy! Do you all have any suggestions? On a more funny note...we've had some more adventures in potty training. We were out somewhere yesterday and I already had Anna in the car seat. Ellie told me she needed to go potty and there was no way I was going to get Anna out along with the stroller and go back into the bathroom cause that is a 20 minute process. I let Ellie go potty on the ground and she loved it! Tonight, at the mall once again Anna was in her car seat and Ellie had to go potty so she got to go on the ground again. I'm wondering if she is just tricking me cause she thinks it is fun to go on the ground. Life is funny these days......
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I'm no help in the discipline area. But I'm looking forward to reading the feedback you get. Our issues have less to do with escape and more with deliberate messing with "no touch" items. He really thinks it is a joke. Ha.
Oh Holly...I so know what you are going through: this is exactly how Joshua was at Anna's age! It is so difficult to know how to discipline/train a strong-willed 18 month old. As you said, part of it is just getting through these months while trying to stay consistent and set boundaries. As far as the running out of play areas went, being strapped in his stroller and watching other kids play seemed to work pretty well with Joshua. I too love how determined and free-spirited Joshua is...but it can be quite exhausting at times!!!
As far as the potty thing goes; we're having the same problem. I am going to set up a "potty station" in the back of the minivan this weekend: with the little potty, trash bags, lysol wipes, regular wipes, and some extra clothes. I'll let you know how it goes!:)
Holly, I am laughing at loud right now. We just arrived in washington state and this has been our first airplane trip since Clay started running away from us. I wish so much I would have brought our monkey buddy (basically a backpack that has a type of leash attached) I never said I would use one but he is just like Anna! I would say consistency is what has helped the most. I am constantly telling him he can't run away or has to hold my hand. I get down on his level and firmly tell him. If he doesn't listen he either goes in the stroller or we leave. He is now two and beginning to catch on that Mom means it! When we are out with the stroller ( or in the airport I used our carry on) I try to make a game of it..Can you help mommy push the stroller, etc. It worked like a charm and kept him right beside me. It can be challenging and I know it will get even harder when we have another one:)
I stick to my thoughts that the 16-18 months age is my least favorite. You just are not sure what they do and don't understand and its hard to know whether they understand and are disobeying or if they just don't get it. Whew!! We just entered this 16-18 month timeframe too, and I am not so excited about it. In my opinion, you handled the mall well. As far as the highchair thing goes, I have no help for you. Do you use her straps?? Make sure they are nice and secure:)
When are you guys coming to NC?? We would love to see you!!
Holly, I know exactly what you are going through. Zeke is just like that and I know Lindsey and I have talked about our boys together before. With the playground area, I would probably do exactly what Lindsey said, strap her in the stroller. I know Zeke would protest quite loudly and if it got out of hand we'd leave, just like you did. You are a doing a great job. Just be consistent with whatever you decide to do and don't give her too many chances.
I usually give Zeke a warning at the beginning and give him his choices and what the potential consequences will be. Even at 18 months he knew that the choice was his and that he was choosing consequences if he disobeyed mommy and daddy.
We are still dealing with the running away situation with him. Some kids just don't have that "first-time" obedience tendancy=)
Post a Comment