728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Diaries › Donna › February 9, 2007

Donna's Diary Entries

Diary Navigation:

02/09/2007 - A spirited child?

February 9, 2007

Discipline
We've been having some problems lately with Justin's behavior.  Well, actually we've had problems with that for quite a while, but it seems to be getting worse.  It used to only be at home, and now he is getting in trouble in school too.  Last week, he said bad words in school and got other kids to say it, and hit and bit other kids.  I had started reading a book called Love and Logic last month.  It is basically about being understanding and not losing your temper, but using consequences to help the child to make good decisions.  So I've been using some of the suggestions and trying time outs and taking toys away.  Last week after the school incident, we ended up taking away his movie player until the following evening.  I agree with the principles in the book; I just don't know if he is actually learning from any of this.  He is sometimes good for a little while after, but it is short-lived.  And sometimes it seems to have no effect at all.  Here I am trying to figure out if there is something wrong with my parenting, something wrong with him, or if this is just his personality.  On Saturday, I am going to Barnes & Noble to look for a book called Raising the Spirited Child.  There is a workbook for it too.  From the excerpts I read online, it describes him exactly, but I just want to look at it in person before I buy it.

Big Boy Bed
I put together a headboard and twin captain's bed for Justin a couple of weeks ago.  I love the added storage space with the shelves in the headboard and the drawers under the bed, since we have no space for a dresser in his room.  He really seems to enjoy his new bed too.  He actually slept all the way through the night for a couple of weeks, which is a record for him.  Finally at three years old sleeping through the night, but not going to bed until 10pm!  Oh well, at least it gives me some time by myself in the morning.  Actually the past two mornings, he has woken up at 4am, but then went right back to sleep when I lay down next to him.  Picture below.

Sunroom
Our sunroom is finally finished, inside and outside.  It looks really nice, and I took pictures each step of the way.  We have made it part dining area and part sitting area with a stereo and futon.  We were going to move the office into it, but decided that would be too much clutter, with my desk and all the junk on it, books, etc.  So we're leaving the office area upstairs and out of sight!  The sunroom is a nice relaxing room to read anyway, since there is no TV and no computer.  Justin has his table and chairs in there too, so he can sit and color if he ever calms down enough to do so for more than a minute!  Picture below from when it was still under construction.

CYLC and Home Makeover Class
Ok I am doing the Change Your Life Challenge a second time.  After graduating in November, I was given access to the graduates forum, and some ladies on there decided to go through a second time starting January 8.  It really helps this time that we are doing this together, and I am concentrating on customizing what I'm already doing, and trying to implement the things that didn't go so well the first time around.  Also, February 5, I started the Extreme Home Makeover class.  It is a ten week spring cleaning class, and also helps to create routines to maintain the house all year long.  Hmmm, this is what I need for sure!  I'm not very good at keeping up with cleaning, other than the normal daily chores I get done.  I've taken one other class, starting in October, I took the holiday class for ten weeks to get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  That class was really helpful, so I have high hopes for this one too.

Thanks for reading!
Donna and Justin

Talk to me



previous diarynext diary



 
want to keep a diary on iParenting?
Authoring a diary on the iParenting network allows you to chronicle your family's story, preserving it for years to come. It's also a great way to get the most out of the iParenting community.   Click here to start...