A picture of my upside down cutie, because she is turning our world upside down.
Yesterday when I arrived home Jacob was watching Scooby Doo on TV, Emily was playing with Chelsa in the play room and Josh was preparing dinner. We sent Chelsa home and began to sit down for dinner. As we were setting the table and getting drinks for everybody Josh asked Emily to feed the dogs.
She didn’t. She sat in front of the TV watching a commercial.
Josh called her again.
She didn’t come again.
Josh hollered to her to turn the TV off and feed the dogs.
She didn’t come. Again.
So he went into the living room, turned off the TV and told her once again to feed the dogs. So, off she stomped into the kitchen to get the food and water dishes from outside. She THREW the water dish into the sink. And stomped off to get the dog food.
At this point Josh calmly picked up the extra folding chair we have in the dining area in case we end up with guests and put it in the corner of the living room. He gently guided her to the chair and sat her in it. He brought her dinner plate and water to her to eat in the corner while we ate as a family at the table.
Once she was done she was instructed to take a bath. She did, and for the first time in months without complaining. After she was done with her bath she dressed herself and waited on the couch to talk with her father. They had a nice little chat about her behavior and the need of TV. After receiving punishment of no TV after school until school is out she was promptly sent to bed. She was quite upset about it because it was only 7:10 and Jacob was allowed to stay up until his regular bed time of 7:30.
She still thinks he punishment is unfair, but the TV has become an issue for her once again. It seems as though every 6 months or so, we have to take the TV away from her for an extended period of time. This time she is allowed to watch on the weekends and Friday nights if we are watching something as a family.
So, do you think we were too harsh? I think for the first time we handled her well. It is difficult with her right now- at the age of 8 she is becoming more difficult and moody- but still immature and child like. She is still a child- that is beginning to grow up.
3 comments:
That was a hard decision to make but probably a good one. I try to limit the TV to 1-2 hours a day for the kids. That doesn't always work but at least it's a goal, right? :)
I hope she continues with the good attitude adjustment. Take care.
Thanks! We are really trying to do what is best for her right now. It is so super hard.
I don't think you were too harsh. You had to ask her three times and then she complied with a bad attitude. I think TV prevents kids from focusing their attention on the right place, which around dinner time is you and the chores.
We've taken everyone off it again except for family American Idol for a month just because of general not obeying quickly enough.
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