OT - Jersey Kid Discipline Begins! (Long)

Mornin'! Thank you so much, Everyone, for responding to my post yesterday. Your suggestions and support helped a LOT! I called my husband yesterday from work and told him that we were going to start Operation: Discipline starting tonight! (Well, last night). It was sooo not easy but we kept firm. When I get home from work, JK (Jersey Kid) and I go up to my room and hang out alone for a while. Again, the kid LOVES appliance-type stuff so he plays with my hair dryers (NOT plugged in!) and I tackle him and tickle him, etc. It is our alone time. But yesterday I consistently (without screaming) stopped him from opening my makeup drawer. And, wouldn't you know, he eventually stopped trying! The one lapse occurred when I went into the main bathroom (not attached to my bedroom) to weigh myself and go potty. When I got back, JK had poured half a container of Gold Bond powder into the toilet that is in the bathroom that IS attached to my bedroom. It was all over the toilet, carpeting, etc. Not a big deal to clean up but I have no idea where he even GOT the powder from! Maybe my In-Laws rooms... While we were hanging out, I started prepping him by telling him that, tonight, he is going to sit at the table and eat with us. And he will stay there until we are all done. And...that is what we did (well, tried to do). We put him in his chair (he sits in a regular chair) and we all ate. He kept getting off the chair and, every time, my husband brought him up to his room and put him in his crib. After about 4 times doing this, he eventually stayed seated! He then asked to be excused from the table and we let him go. We were feeling pretty good about our progress until.... JK is a weird kid...he really is. Like I said, he does not play with a single toy but the things he is obsessed with are so funny. He worships sprinklers. No clue why! So we were playing in the front yard and JK wanted to go see the lights down the street. Digression here...my house is in a wonderful location for kids. We are at the very end of a small cul-de-sac. Almost no traffic at all because we are not near a main road...so it works out well. The house down the street has lights installed at the end of the driveway so JK likes to go see them at night (he is so warped. ). Anyhow...so the three of us walked to see the lights. Then JK wanted to keep walking to see if he could find any sprinklers on...so we went for an impromptu walk. This was all fine and good until we got to one yard that had a sprinkler on the lawn but it was not turned on. JK took off after it and picked it up. We told him to put it down and walked him away from the sprinkler. He pulled out of my hand and went for it again. We pulled him away from it again. That's when all hell broke loose. My husband picked him up and JK screamed like he was being scorched with hot oil! Then he started flailing in my husband's arms. He tried to hit my husband but my husband restrained his arms. Then JK tried to head butt him hard TWICE! I seriously thought he should be swatted in the butt. But my husband is 100% anti-spanking so we just continued home...with JK screaming the whole way. We passed a woman who was biking with her two children. It was SO embarrassing but I fully believe in looking people in the eye no matter what is going on. So I looked at her, she looked at me and we smiled. Then she said to me, "I've been there!" That was nice of her to say. It was a LONG walk home. We got home, put him in the bath and, afterwards, did not let him play with his "toys." We just laid on my bed with him and talked to him. Unfortunately, his crying made him asthmatic and runny-nosed. But I think he is getting a (small) understanding that things are going to change. So...a little progress was made but we are in for a tough haul! Thanks for listening...and for your support! Love and hugs, Jersey Mom

Jersey stay strong..... Rome wasn't built in a day! What is Jersey kids real name? I just know him by Jersey kid! On Nanny 911 they show consistancy works...so keep up the good work. Hugs, Chris

Jeresey Mom, Even though I am not a mom - I think you are doing the right thing. Didn't it feel good to have that woman say that she has been there - gives you some hope, huh? Have a great day! Rhonda

Hey Rhonda: Yes, it was REALLY nice of her. Not only because it showed that we are not alone but it showed the goodness in people. She could have easily turned away and said nothing. I was grateful! Hugs, Jersey Mom

Oy Vey!!! I wish you the best of luck! I work with some Autistic children, and the best thing is to stick it out every time. Even when you are tired of putting him in the crib or time out, you have to do it...it's part of their learning that no matter what they will go into time out...eventually they will get it. You have to be the broken record, but they do get it!! Hang in there!!! Be firm, and one thing....PRAISE HIM WHEN HE IS GOOD...the term we use at school "Catch Them Being Good," often we focus on the negative, so catch the positive. Charts are good, and rewards although he is little he will catch on. If you know about the quintuplets the Dilleys? They are on TLC, they have a great chart and they do things like Dilley dollars where they can use it for video games, going out the park...etc, gear the rewards for JK and it should work if consistent. Our kids at school get happy or so-so faces or sad faces, they are rewarded at the end of the day...of course they are older so they can wait, but he being young you may want to start with the reward quick, then as you progress he has to wait longer and longer to get the reward. Best of luck!!! Get ear plugs for the screaming...lol. I know some of our kids at school, they make it sound like they are being murdered when they cry, we just get used to it adn tell them that they are building their lungs...lol. Kelli

Good luck Sweetie! Remember YOU are the MOM and what you say goes. Also remember that kids love limits. Even though it doesn't seem like it. It makes them feel safe. You are doing a great thing for the kid and for you and DH. Hang in there. It will be tough but so worth it in the end. Sending you all hugs, Ronna

GOOD FOR YOU AND YOU GO MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just posted my version of War and Peace on the post from yesterday. God Bless! Jen

Hang in there with the discipline...it will be worth it in the long run. Be consistent and it should work...make sure your hubby and in-laws are on board, too or it won't work. Your doing a great job so far! Karla

WOW! what a accomplishment already! It wont be easy, but you can do it. Like I said before, I know all about the strong willed child and they really do grow up to be good little men. Keep up the good work. Cathy

Awww Robin, I know it's so hard to discipline your own kid.It definetely takes consistency. That is something I found out quickly when my son was that age. It ain't easy, but after a few days or so, it really does start to sink in. So, hang in there and stay firm girlie!!! Your Friend, Shannon