Tonight, after a busy evening, we were trying to get Eleanor out of her clothes to put on pajamas. We had managed to remove her shoes, socks, and pants without much protest. When it came time to lift her shirt over her head, she began screaming, fighting and flopping about, all the makings of a good tantrum. Even the offer to let her do it all by herself did not inspire enthusiasm. Finally, exasperated, I asked her if she needed a time-out. This is how things went:
Me: Eleanor, do you need a time-out?
E: (calmly) Uh-huh.
Me: (pointing to her room) Ok, go in there for a time-out.
(She walks to her room and goes in. Grant follows to close the door, but as soon as she is in, she turns and closes it herself. Just after closing it, she fusses and cries for less than 10 seconds. Then, she opens the door and comes out. Grant and I look at each other, skeptical.)
Grant: Ok, are you ready for me to take your shirt off?
E: Uh-huh.
Grant: Hold your arms up.
(She raises her arms pleasantly as Grant removes her shirt.)
Grant: Before we put your bottoms on, why don't you come over here and let me change your diaper.
E: Oh. Sure. (She lies down in front of Grant.)
Grant called her "Dr. Jekyll" for the rest of the evening. I guess all she needed was a time-out, and she knew it.
Ha! What a funny little girl. How cool that she knows herself so well.
ReplyDeletewhen maggie goes in for time-out she comes out afterward and tells me, "now it's mommy's turn". sigh.
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