Sunday, July 06, 2008

july six

Sean.

I love him to pieces but he's being a rebel against us. Ahhh, toddlers!

How do I get Sean to stop throwing stuff (food, cutlery, sippy cups) off his high chair? As many times as we take everything away from him, and as many times as we tell him "NO", he just doesn't listen. Anyone have any tips or advice?

We had to take the fence/gate away from the den, as Friday he climbed right over it. So, we cut the umbilical cord yesterday, and gave him free reign of the house. Not sure yet if that was a bad mistake yet or not. That fence went away, but a baby gate went up for my office (since my office door doesn't stay shut apparently).

As of today, there will be no more high chair for Sean either, as tonight at dinner he climbed up on chair at the dinning room table and wanted to sit with us like that, instead of in his high chair. So we took the booster seat out of my trunk (which we use at restaurants, etc), and he'll be joining us at the table now.

And now, Sean is freaked out about taking a bath. It all started on Friday night. I had my in-laws over for dinner. (Jamie's dad & step-mom). Jamie had ball so he wasn't home. After dinner I put Sean in a bath. Sean likes to get in the bath while the water is still running. He likes to play with the water while it runs, etc, and this way it gives him more time to play in the bath. Anyhow, while he was in there, just as he goes to put his hand under the faucet, my father-in-law in the bathroom in my bedroom, flushes the toilet. BAD! When a toilet is flushed while someone is in the shower or in the bath, the HOT water comes at full blast, because the cold water is being used for the toilet that is being flushed. Sean got really hot water on his hand. I can't say that he burned his hand, because it's not burned, but it must have been really really really hot. He freaked out, starting bawling, and we had to force him to stay in the tub to at least wash his hair (he had to get washed, there was no getting out of it). Anyhow, tonight, in the bath (we bathe/wash Sean every other night, unless he's filthy and needs an extra bath), he refused to get into the bath. It took both Jamie & I to try to get him to stay in again just while we washed him and his hair. I don't know how we're going to get him to enjoy his baths again? He obviously didn't forget that he got hurt in the bath. Has this ever happened to you and did it take long before your child trusted the bath again? (The first time we learned that our water system did this, I was using the bathroom & flushed the toilet while Jamie was in the shower. Let's just say that I will never do that again!)

Jamie's mom and her wife came by today for a quick visit, it was nice of them to come by. They brought Sean 2 books about being a Big Brother/having a new baby in the house, which was nice of them.

Boy must zucchinis grow fast? There are two huge zucchinis on my plant now, and I could have sworn there was only one yesterday! I really cannot wait to be able to pull some off and have them grilled on the BBQ!

Yesterday I got a chance to plant some more seeds. I started them inside the house for now, and I'll move them outside once they start sprouting (as I did back in March/April for the seed starters). I planted some more lettuce (both the Paris Island & the Black Seeded Simpson) as well as some broccoli and cabbage, that didn't work out when I planted them in the garden. I'm not really sure why? I'll see what happens this time. I also planted some more of other stuff, we'll see what happens. I do have to say that my pumpkin plant is taking over the garden like you wouldn't believe. It was just a test for this year, not sure I'll plant it again next year. It's really trying to take over the garden! I also, today, re-planted carrot, to see if anything will happen. In the original patch where I planted the carrots, I think we have 2 carrots. (Only 2 - I know, so sad!) I'd planted 2 rows of them! Anyhow, maybe it'll work this time. Crossing my fingers!

This evening my brother came over for dinner. After dinner he took off and Jamie & I watched the movie 21. It was really good, but it was the exact same movie that we saw last year called The Last Casino. Identical.

Off to go feed Mack & then it's bed time!

17 comments:

Hattie said...

Yeah,...Alexis STILL does that. She throws everything on her chair. She also does the climbing thing, which annoys me. Nick outgrew it pretty fast...I have no advice lol, nothing we do works.

As for the bath...well he'll just have to get used to it. Maybe just stick your own hands in it first, make a show of it being nice. Or have hubby wear a bathing suit in there with him for a few times. If possible that is. Good luck!

Bea said...

Oh no! I have no sage words of advice for you regarding the tub. Hopefully he won't remember after a bit. I think its scary to cut the umbilical cord but if he can escape anyway there isn't much point to having it.

LizzieK8 said...

Babies love to drop things. It gives them control over the world. Perhaps playing some dropping games throughout the day and especially before dinner. Also, I'd say don't make a production of it. If he does throw something off, ignore it. If he's doing it for attention, and doesn't get any.... But if it's for the fun of dropping...get a dog to clean up the mess! :)

Have you tried taking Sean in the shower with you or Jamie for clean ups? That will eliminate the fight in the tub. If he hates/is afraid of the tub, why force him into it? I don't think it's wise to make a child do something s/he is afraid of...

Tara said...

I had that experience with Émilie once, and I wound up having to get in the bath with her a few times for her to feel secure again. Get Jamie to go in with him, Sean will have a blast!

ikkinlala said...

Zucchini does grow incredibly fast, but I'm surprised that it's ripe already - ours isn't even flowering yet!

Ambermoggie, a fragrant soul said...

pumpkins are fabulous at covering the garden:)

Turtle said...

throwing food. I did preschool for a number of years in hawaii and we would just reenforce that it was not ok, then remind them that if they throw their food they are going to be hungry later, then also had them help to clean it up off the floor, etc. Of course we had to go over where they cleaned but it held them responsible.
on the bath, what if you calmly sit on the edge of the tub as it is filling with your hand and feet in the water, coming from the tap and he may relax soon and see it is ok. for the pumpkin, once a fruit forms you can pinch off the other vines not connected to the actual fruit vine, this will help it from taking over and also help that fruit grow larger. funny, our broccoli is growing well where some of the lettuce and carrot this year are so slow. you can tell what likes the colder temps!

Kitten With a Whiplash said...

Not being a parent I asked Mom about my food throwing days. Apparently I never did it, everything I got a hold of I gobbled up. Looking at me today, I'm not surprised. ;) Sorry I couldn't be of any help.

wenat said...

When my boys dropped food, I just ignored them or pulled them out of the chair because obviously they were done with eating.

The thing to remember is that this is just a phase. When he's 5 he won't be doing that any more -- but let me assure you, he'll be doing something else that totally annoys you!

knitmomma said...

re; the throwing things - I had the most luck with my kids when I gave them something they *could* throw...for example, if the were throwing food, stay calm, take him down from the highchair, and tell him "Looks like you need to throw something! Please don't throw food. You can throw (a beanbag, a ball, whatever is ok for you). "

I found giving them a yes whenever possible helped a lot. At his age impulse overcomes reason, so telling him no without providing an appropriate outlet is just frustrating to you and futile. At least, with my kids it was!

knitmomma said...

Oooh...forgot the bath part. Any chance one of you can get in with him? It might make him feel more secure until he gets over his fear. Also...fill tub and turn off the water before putting him in, perhaps?

Bianca said...

LOL! The lovely life of a toddler. I saw the pics in your previous post, Sean as a little one - he has grown a lot. My youngest is in the same phase, though a little bit younger than Sean (almost 15 1/2 months) :-) It is so much fun to have him around... even after so many years ( my three older kids are 18, 14 and 12)

Congrats though on your upcoming 5000th comment.

Mel said...

Have you tried completely ignoring him when he throws stuff? I would advise you to pretend that nothing happened. Don't awknowledge anything on the floor or his actions. A lot of time kids go through this phase (beyond the normal aquisition of object permanence) to get a reaction out of the parents. When we get upset, say no, take everything away etc...we are reinforcing the behavior...Ignoring is hard to do at first but give it a try...

As for the water thing...what he went through is pretty traumatic for a little guy. I would try having him play in a full tub of water (already filled with him out of the room) by standing on the side and floating toys or something. Everynow and then ask him if he wants to go in and play...or have Jamie in the tub and have Sean join him. He needs to have a very positive fun experience again to help him forget the negative one...

good luck!

sharon said...

for the throwing - take it away and don't give more unless the don't stop. as someone else said - there is appropriate times to throw and then not. Ugh - I had to wash a wall for 10 minutes due to norah finding a pencil lying around - and I thought she was playing well....
the zucchini looks good enough to eat...

Anonymous said...

My oldest was a crazy toddler. We had to put those door lock things on all the doors so he could only go where it was safe. He also loved to throw things on the floor from his high chair. We just took everything away when he started throwing also. It took awhile but eventually he learned. My only advice is to be consistent. We still struggle with the oldest and just pick and choose our battles. It's hard to walk the fine line between teaching them to make good choices and giving them all the power. Good luck with Sean I'm sure it will get better.

Anonymous said...

I let them throw what they wanted, and didn't react to it as best I could. Sometimes it's the reaction they are after.

My oldest would die, but he was 9 and still having tantrums about having to take a bath.

g-girl said...

oh no...poor sean! that happens to us too--the water turning a bit hot in the shower after someone flushes. I hope he gets over it soon. wow, look at your zucchini go!