1) Don't worry, be happy. I consistently try to talk myself into "chilling out" as a parent. What's the worst that can happen if he plays with the hose in the backyard? He gets wet! I also recently made the conscious decision to let Niko play "boing boing" on his bed. I don't want him on a trampoline, so he may as well jump on his bed. We'll be very sure that we stop the habit on his new bed.2) Routines. I have definitely found that both my boys, especially Niko, like some degree of a routine. They do very well with their naptime and bedtime routines. When I show Niko that I have his "lait chaud" (warm milk), he puts away what he's playing with, removes his shoes if he's wearing them, and runs to his room, holding the door open for me. When I walk through, he shuts the door and turns off his light. He walks over to the glider and lays down ready to receive his milk and have his diaper changed. I sing to him during this time. Then he lays down in his bed while I sing some more. He has started requesting that we lay down with him. I love how much he loves to snuggle! Sam doesn't snuggle quite as much, but he definitely understands that when we go into his dark room and turn on the fan, it's time to rest his head on my shoulder while I sing a few verses to him.
3) Encouraging independence. I'm not sure how much of this was me and how much was my boys' nature, but I have found it to be so valuable to see my boys play by themselves and together without me. I love to hide behind the doorway and watch them discover things and learn on their own. I love spending time with them, but it's nice to know they can do a lot on their own, too. Niko is also now at an age when he declares, "Niko faire!" ("Niko to do" or "Niko do it") - short for "Est-ce que Niko veut le faire?" ("Would Niko like to do it?") I love that he really is doing so many things he's capable of: pulling up his own pants, snapping his buckle, and feeding himself.
I am looking for other moms' ideas on how to get my kid to eat. Sam does ok, but Niko is a real pickle most of the time with me. I'm trying to get him to sit for a "meal" and that seems to be improving slightly, but he still doesn't eat much at all. On the contrary, he'll eat a truck load if he's with Gigi (his Pelissie Grandma) or Tata Ang, so I know he's capable of eating more. But with me, he lives on cereal, crackers and bananas. He doesn't even do well when I try to make a deal with him (you eat 2 bites of dinner and you can have a gateau/cake - not so much). Any suggestions?
I don't know about niko eating... maybe it's just a not-the-mom thing. Some of the mom at mom and me were talking about a book where you disguise foods in something else-- broccoli in a shake?
ReplyDeleteThis may not work for you, but it worked for us... Around the time Kevin was 2 we decided that he would eat what we were eating or he wouldn't eat. He was old enough to go without food for a little while and he would make it up at the next meal. So this is how it works at our house...I make a meal (for breakfast and lunch they decide what they want). They either eat it, or they don't. If they eat it, then they can have snacks in between meals. If they don't, they don't get any more food until the next meal. Also, no snacks are given 30 minutes or less before a meal (so they are hungry enough to eat). Sometimes my kids don't want to eat the food and they know that means no more food until the next meal. They are both healthy (we only do this with Kevin and Jenna, Jared is still too little), and have never starved to death. They catch on pretty quickly that they must eat their meals or be hungry. My brother and his wife do this with their kids too (no short order cooking). Their second child would never eat dinner, even with this rule. He would just eat a lot at breakfast and lunch. No kid will let themselves starve to death.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, that is what we do to ensure the kids eat their meals. It will take a few times for him to realize you are serious. (The hardest part for me is actually remembering not to give them snacks when they didn't eat their meals). Like I said this may not work for you, but it may be worth trying. Also, if they don't eat their meal they can only have water to drink until the next one so they don't fill up on the calories from milk and juice. Good luck!
thanks. I love that you did this. I am hoping other mom's will too cause I like to know the tricks. Love you guys.
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