Perplexed

October 8, 2007 · 7 comments

Preston is turning into a miniature version of Matthew.  In some ways, that’s actually pretty cool. In other ways, it’s bad. Bad. Bad. Bad.  And annoying. And troublesome.  And sad.

The good ways he copies Matt:

  • Reciting numbers and letters
  • Wanting to read books
  • Being independent
  • Sleeping better
  • Laughing and playing with reckless (and I mean reckless) abandon.
  • Being silly and cute and fun
  • Dancing and singing
  • Talking a lot

Bad ways:

  • Whining.
  • Stealing toys
  • Throwing things
  • Hitting (me, mostly)
  • Incessant whining
  • Not listening
  • Crying because of things Matt does
  • Oh, and whining, just like his big brother

I mean, I get it. He’s 2. He’s testing boundaries, checking things out, exploring. But his brother seems to be a bit of a bad influence.  So I am wondering if getting Matt to stop whining and start behaving a wee bit better would be an automatic help with P.  Am I oversimplifying?

Matt’s whining has reached an all time high lately.  In general, he does it when he’s tired or frustrated, but I know he has the words to use, so him just squeaking and moaning  and whining and crying grinds on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.   And he does this little clawing at us thing while he’s squeaking which makes me want to put him a half-nelson.

We’ve really upped his politeness training lately – he was getting out of control with gimme! and get me…! and I want! and shockingly, now!!  He’s been doing a lot better with please and thank you and you’re welcome, so that’s going well.  Now we just need to add to it.  I’m going to pick up that book that one of my fellow mama bloggers has been talking about – Smart Discipline or something like that.  I think it’s time to really make some house rules and stick with them.  We’re pretty laid back parents, and sometimes that backfires on us a bit.  😉

I guess I never thought that Preston’s personality would change so much once he started copying Matt.  He still shows signs of my sweet little lovey boy, but he’s becoming more not so much like that and I’m sad. And perplexed.

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

liv October 8, 2007 at 3:04 pm

When D whines or asks for things and pitches fits, I calmly tell him that Mommy\'s ears cannot hear that kind of talking. That it is a sad and unfortunate truth that I cannot respond. I don\'t notice his little sister repeating any of his behaviors beyond now thinking it\'s cool to give chase at bedtime. 😉

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flutter October 8, 2007 at 5:58 pm

can\'t you just squirt him in the head with a spray bottle? 😉

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liv October 8, 2007 at 10:04 pm

When D whines or asks for things and pitches fits, I calmly tell him that Mommy’s ears cannot hear that kind of talking. That it is a sad and unfortunate truth that I cannot respond. I don’t notice his little sister repeating any of his behaviors beyond now thinking it’s cool to give chase at bedtime. 😉

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flutter October 9, 2007 at 12:58 am

can’t you just squirt him in the head with a spray bottle? 😉

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MamaLee October 9, 2007 at 8:46 am

Copy catters here, too. It really helps when the older one leads by example.

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MamaLee October 9, 2007 at 3:46 pm

Copy catters here, too. It really helps when the older one leads by example.

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Mad Hatter October 18, 2007 at 10:49 am

Very nice. Love this place! Keep up the good work!

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