I've been feeling like a tyrant lately. Everything out of my mouth seems to be no/stop/don 't/off/down, etc. I really don't feel like I ask too much out of my group, but they are younger than I usually have, so maybe I'm expecting too much. I have: 3yo, 2 x 2.5, 24 mo, 14 mo.
-No running
-Couch is for sitting, not jumping on or off of
-No hitting/pushing/aggression of any kind (obviously, but it still happens so frequently)
-If anyone purposely throws food on the floor, it is taken away.
-Everyone must stay in their chairs until everyone is done eating
-If you get down from the table, I will assume you are done eating, and your place will be cleared
-Cushions are not to be removed from the couch
-Crying because I said No to something does not get you anything except time in the calm down spot
-Toys are not to be thrown, climbed on, or hoarded
-Hands/toys/shirts stay out of mouths
-If you are not a napper, you must lie on the couch to watch a movie/show and be quiet. If you are quiet, you can do a quiet activity until the nappers are up.
Am I being too hard on these kids? All of these things are rules that I feel are basic, but maybe I'm wrong? But it's not unusual to have one kid doing something they know they shouldn't every 5 minutes at least. For the last 3 days, the 3yo has had her couch privileges taken away, because she just will. not. listen. As soon as my back is turned, she's jumping off of them, or on them, or climbing over top of them.
Today, I had the youngest absolutely screaming at me because I wouldn't let him touch his poopy penis, while 2 others were screaming/crying because I made them stop taking the cushions off the couch so they could make a "bouncy castle", while yet another was already segregated from the rest of the group for constant hitting. I ended up putting the youngest in his high chair and crying in the bathroom because I just couldn't take it anymore. I feel like I have no control over this group. When we're doing something (snack, walk, activity), it is fine. But free play is an absolute disaster. I've had some success with making them stay on a mat and rotating toys in the past, but no way would the youngest do that.
-No running
-Couch is for sitting, not jumping on or off of
-No hitting/pushing/aggression of any kind (obviously, but it still happens so frequently)
-If anyone purposely throws food on the floor, it is taken away.
-Everyone must stay in their chairs until everyone is done eating
-If you get down from the table, I will assume you are done eating, and your place will be cleared
-Cushions are not to be removed from the couch
-Crying because I said No to something does not get you anything except time in the calm down spot
-Toys are not to be thrown, climbed on, or hoarded
-Hands/toys/shirts stay out of mouths
-If you are not a napper, you must lie on the couch to watch a movie/show and be quiet. If you are quiet, you can do a quiet activity until the nappers are up.
Am I being too hard on these kids? All of these things are rules that I feel are basic, but maybe I'm wrong? But it's not unusual to have one kid doing something they know they shouldn't every 5 minutes at least. For the last 3 days, the 3yo has had her couch privileges taken away, because she just will. not. listen. As soon as my back is turned, she's jumping off of them, or on them, or climbing over top of them.
Today, I had the youngest absolutely screaming at me because I wouldn't let him touch his poopy penis, while 2 others were screaming/crying because I made them stop taking the cushions off the couch so they could make a "bouncy castle", while yet another was already segregated from the rest of the group for constant hitting. I ended up putting the youngest in his high chair and crying in the bathroom because I just couldn't take it anymore. I feel like I have no control over this group. When we're doing something (snack, walk, activity), it is fine. But free play is an absolute disaster. I've had some success with making them stay on a mat and rotating toys in the past, but no way would the youngest do that.
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