Ever since school started the afternoons have been a nightmare. Last year their school woke them up from naps at 2:00 and gave them a snack. That got their grumpies out. This year, we're not supposed to get there until 2:25 and be gone by 2:30 - which would be all well and good except that all of the kids are still napping. So, I have five minutes to wake up three kids in two different classrooms. Guess what? We're grumpy.
We're grumpy leaving school. We're grumpy in the car. We're grumpy when we get home. We're grumpy when we have a snack. We're grumpy for the rest of the day. I had been letting the first couple of grumpies go, understanding that getting rushed out of bed makes one cranky. But today, I got tired of it. I let them wake up slowly, which helped getting out of the school. If I go over my precious five minutes then they will have to suffer. If they want me out of there in five minutes with my three kids, then my three kids will have to be awake and ready. Otherwise, we'll take our time. Not in a passive aggressive way, but I along with at least three other parents have asked that they at least wake the kids up, we don't have a problem bringing them a snack for the car. But "that's not how I do it" which is fine, if you don't like how I do it, then you will have to change.
The car was a little more difficult. We got them in the car then the fists started flying. I ignored it, (bad mommy) and drove home. By the time we got home one could not hear anything but wailing and gnashing of teeth. So, NEW RULE, no one comes into my happy home, unless they are happy. Hubby helped me with this one, and I don't know if his presence made it easier or what, but they complied. Got happily out of the car, put their backpacks away and sat down quietly for a snack.
The rest of the afternoon, we had to practice how to act a LOT. We got to practice how to talk when Mommy is on the phone. We got to practice using our nice words. I even let them practice how to go to their room properly. I forget that they don't know how to act, they have to practice. Especially when they don't always have the best example. (I did have to put myself in time out last week for saying 'poopies')
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
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3 comments:
I does seem kind of wierd to have a kid get up from a nap at 2:25 and leave the school at 2:30...not being thought out very well by the school!!!
My girlie is only 2, but I know she has a rough time when we have to wake her up, rather than letting her wake up naturally. I generally allow her a few minutes of grumpiness, and then start talking to her about being nice - hopefully it will help.
My youngest is perpetually cranky when she wakes up from naps. I think your new plan is a good one and the school can just deal with it.
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