When Saturday isn't the Happiest Day of the Week
Mike and Cindi are currently on a plane back to San Francisco and we are once again virtually friendless in Chicago. We were discussing with them before they left how impossible it has been for us to make new friends; when we listed all of the people we've met and contacted for first and second friend "dates" it became increasingly clear that one of the following is true:
1. there is something about us that is scaring people off, or
2. couples with toddlers here, in general, are much less eager to get together.
In any case, there STILL isn't really anyone we can call up and ask if they'd like to come over this evening. So the winter promises to be VERY long and boring and we welcome any additional visitations from friends and family. Call up and invite yourself. You'll be surprised how eagerly we plan your stay (Now accepting weekend reservations for November, early December, and January through May. Weekdays are also available if you are self entertaining.).
Simon, unfortunately, wasn't able to say goodbye to the new loves of his life, Mike and Cindi. He was so unbelievably tired and cranky we were forced to put him down for a nap after a short trip to the zoo and a quick lunch. Almost as soon as Simon woke up this morning there was the hitting of Mommy and Daddy and lots of cries of "NOOOOO!" and more than a few time-outs. We are must less confident about his teachers' proclamations that he hits because he is not intellectually challenged and more certain that he hits because he knows it really grates on our nerves like nothing else.
Comments
Simon is really working on the idea of independence, isn't he? Maybe, as with our bright German Sheppard, Odin, he needs a job. How about putting him on garbage detail.
Posted by: Gram Joan | September 16, 2006 03:08 PM
I'll be happy to supply personal references to let people know what fun you are. And what good cooks too. The idea of you not having a Halloween party is very sad. . .
(or you could just come back here where your friends would be delighted and thrilled to have you back, but you know that)
Posted by: lenore | September 17, 2006 05:12 PM
I don't know if this will work, but timeouts were pretty useless for Devon (still are, but that's another story...), anyway, he tried the hitting thing very briefly, and here's how we handled it: When he hits, sit down with him eye to eye and hold his little hands firmly in yours, not to hurt, but just so he can't escape. Then explain in 2 year old language that hitting is a no no. Devon would try very hard to pull away, but as long as we were firm, it usually only took a couple of minutes to calm him down, and the behavior was curbed after only a few incidents. This worked MUCH better than the time-out chair for him.
Posted by: Auntie Tonya | September 17, 2006 09:23 PM
The time out chair works wonders for Simon. He seems to need two minutes alone to calm down (he swats at us when he is angry). The mere mention of going to the timeout chair is usually enough. I'm sure once Simon is more in control of his feelings, he will stop. In the mean time, we mainly have problems when the time-out chair isn't available (it is a travel booster seat and we strap him in so he can't get out - regular chairs don't work). I will readily admit that when I'm angry, my first impulse is often to swat at people. It's probably a good thing that I've learned to completely control my impulses ;)
Maybe we will have a Halloween Party this year, even if it is particularly pathetic and unattended!
Posted by: Hava | September 18, 2006 08:33 AM