Today didn't start off so well. I was already tired when I woke up and let's say, that was the easiest of the morning. After a turbulent few hours, I came across this :
"WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU SCREAM
Life is not perfectly calm when you have little ones around you. Sometimes they get beside themselves and begin to act out very negatively. The worse they get, the more frustrated you get until you are ready to shout and yell or spank them all! But wait a minute. Before you scream, try an alternative. There are better options to calm them down.
1. CHILDREN LOVE SURPRISES
"Children, Mommy is going to give you a surprise! I want you all to hide behind the sofa and wait. No one is allowed to look!" Then arrange a little plate for each one with perhaps cut apples, pieces of cheese, raisins, a cookie you have made, or whatever they like. Make them into the shape of a smiley face.
"Okay, children, come for your surprise!" Although it is only simple, a little surprise and a little food in their stomachs will make a huge difference.
2. CHILDREN LOVE STORIES
"Come children, let's read a story." Gather the children all around you, cuddle them up tight, and read some nursery rhymes or stories to them. I found story time never failed to calm my children. Can you guess that we had story time quite frequently throughout the day?
3. CHILDREN LOVE TO GET OUTSIDE
"Children, let's go outside for a little walk." Take them out to look at the birds, the butterflies, or any insects, lizards, or salamanders you can find. Ten to fifteen minutes outside lets them let off steam, changes their behavior, and they'll come inside with refreshed spirits.
4. CHILDREN NEED SLEEP
Sometimes when a child, or all the children, are bouncing off the walls, we forget that they may be tired and no longer know how to control themselves. Perhaps they just need a sleep!
With most of these little alternatives, you have to stop what you are doing! That's the secret. Children become more difficult to handle when you are engrossed in what you are doing. To stop and spend a little time with them makes all the difference."
Boy, did I need that! What a wonderful reminder. I would like to add a few more options then screaming...
5). Children love music. It really does " soothe the savage beast" ( and that includes me!). I put one tons and tons of christian children's music. It's a great way to get God's praises and words not only in the house, but in our hearts. We also love auto stories.
6). Children love to bake. One morning when I was home schooling my boys and things were not going very well ( I had five at home at the time), I stopped everything and declare, " Alright, everyone, we're all done with school til tomorrow. Let's bake cookies!!" You should have heard the cheers and seen all their faces lighten up. I put some music on and we all made ( and tasted the dough ) cookies then ate some as a treat!
7). Children love games. Many times I have pulled out Candy Land or Shoots and Ladders ( With the older boys, the games got more adult) especially when they are whinny or tired . This is a fun time to just sit on the floor and be together. I used Candy Land as a way to teach colors, help with counting and taking turns.
8). Children love bathes. Who doesn't like to soak in a warm bubble bath? In the afternoons, when everyone is slowing down and getting crabby, this is when I put some in the bath. They are contained, they're playing and getting clean all at the same time. :). My girls will stay in the for an hour if I let them.
9). Children love hugs. When everyone has been icky all day ( I throw myself in there too), this is usually the last thing I want to do. But I have found it to be a pretty awesome way to turn my heart around and theirs. It's something you can do all day long if needed. If your like me, you'll have to go against your feelings to do this, but I promise it'll be worth it.
I hope these help you make it through what ever day your having today. Living Hope FULL :)
