Some days...

As a mother, some days are perfectly lovely, and others - well, you do what you can to get through it. I had one of those days yesterday. I dragged myself out of bed at 6:30, tired after a night of tucking and re-tucking little ones in their beds. For some reason they each woke up - at different times - twice during the night, and crept up to breathe in Mommy's face, blinking sleepily, blankies in hand. So off to work I went at 7:30, and after a busy day, came home to whining, grouchy, argumentative little ones (due to their own lack of sleep). This, I thought in my own sleepy haze, was the perfect time to work on creative discipline. (More on creative discipline in the must-have book, "Beyond the Rainbow Bridge" by Patterson and Bradley.)

In Waldorf pedagogy, one of the creative ways of dealing with a misbehaving child, is to "reform" their space. Adjust their hair and clothing, adjust their eating utencils, plate and cup, return some order to their play area by picking up some discarded toys around them or straightening a shelf. Without having to say a word - like "no" - you can change the air or the feeling in their play space, which may settle the child down.

Using the word "may" is another good technique in creating discipline. Instead of turning a request into a question, like "Would you like to clean up for me?" or "Are you ready for bed?", try "You may pick up your toys now" or "You may get ready for bed".

Limiting choices is another way to create a more sound structure for your child in the long run. Give them two choices, pick it out for them, or don't give them a choice (such as with chores or bed/bathtime, etc.). Too many choices can confuse children and create the self-centered, "I want" attitude.

All wonderful tools for creative discipline. Pick up "Beyond the Rainbow Bridge" for a very enjoyable and enlightening read that the whole family can benefit from. HOWEVER, there are those days when everyone is just TOO TIRED AND CRANKY, and nothing seems to work. Sometimes the only answer is a very early bedtime!