baby steps

Step 1: Remove TV, VCR and DVD from Aaron's room.
He came home from after school and wanted a movie right away. I said no and stuck to that no.
I let him cry it out in his bed. Then he calmly said I want to listen to music please.
He got some music, with headphones to save my sanity! Due to the fact that likes to listen to a few notes
of a particular song over and over and over again. It gets annoying very quickly.



Step 2: Create a time out corner.
Aaron is prone to meltdowns and tantrums. I thought designating a place for such
behaviours free of everything would be a way for him to learn that behaviour is not acceptable.
This has not been used yet.



Step 3: Sit on the porch and sew.
While he was laying in his bed listening to music this afternoon I decided to sit on the porch and do a little hand sewing.
I'm going to get a monitor so I can hear what he's up to. Between you and me it's so people think I'm paying attention to what he's doing. *wink* Seriously though I've really wanted to get a monitor for quite some time.

Thank you all so much for your wonderful words on yesterdays post. No sooner had I posted that than he started being a pissant again. I was near tears with frustration and anxiety. I was thinking on his behaviour and it's almost like he's going through the terrible two's. Although he's not a terrible kid, he doesn't throw tantrums he just has a lot of meltdowns over tiny little things. It's the meltdowns that I have the most problems with. He just wants to have his way all the time. He's uncooperative and I can't reason with him because of his lack of comprehension skills. Although I must say he's come a long way from last year. He gets some things just not everything. I was told that his behaviour is typical of only children because in his mind he believes the world revolves around him. Well I've got news for him!
I'm just trying my hardest to be a really good parent and it's even more difficult considering his circumstances. There is no one letting me know that I'm doing the right thing by him. There's no one else to bounce ideas off of or share the frazzledness of my days. I just don't know what's the best way to approach a situation. I'm clueless when it comes to actual parenting this child! I've got all his physical needs down pat, I could do them with my eyes closed. I'm just having a hard time with his personality.
Another thing that I find difficult is that I live in an area where my neighbours are not parents. Seeing as it's summertime and the windows are open people are able to hear more of what's going on in here. I'm totally self concious of how I'm reacting and parenting Aaron on a daily basis. I freak out internally if folks out there are judging me. Most of my closest neighbours are not parents and I find myself feeling even more judged if I'm having a bad day or if Aaron's having an off day.
There are many joys in parenting and I appreciate all of them but boy those tough days are really tough. I'm glad I have a place to share them here or I'd really go nuts. So if you don't mind I'll just keep sharing these days. It's not always rosey over here.