Thursday, October 25, 2007

Lisi's Therapy Session # 142

Maybe I needed to have 'before' pictures to give the full story. But Lisi's actions, attitude and poor choices have led to her having her room stripped...of everything. No toys, no stuffed animals, no pictures on the walls, no books...
...not even clothes in her drawers.
She has lost all privileges.
I am open to all suggestions on how to better parent her.
All stories of how "stinkin' cute" she is will fall on deft ears.

14 comments:

becky said...

that is AWESOME!!!! I can't believe it, but I love it!!!! You have some serious follow-through...:)

Lori Eilers said...

Well, I must say...well done Momma Main. Serious crime...serious time! It amazes me how it takes drastic measures for some kids but I don't have to tell you...you already know...you must always win! Call for re-enforcements if needed! I still can do the "mom look."

Melinda said...

Oh friend...your tales of Lisi's antics and her personality have always reminded me of Emmie. And we did this same thing with her! Perhaps you remember when we had to do it when she was about 15...we actually took her door off the hinge that time; privacy is a privilege, too! You go girl!

Unknown said...

you have amazing follow-thru. i would have given up after emptying the bookcase. this gives me resolve!

like i said....over the river....you remember. then again, i hear you may be coming this way anyway! i'll park my car at the Missouri River bridge. :-)

Angela said...

Deaf ears or not ... she IS too stinkin' cute!
Way to set your standards high & not give in! Lisi will be better for it!
You're doing the right thing ... but, man my heart breaks for her! (sorry! maybe it should break for you, huh?)
Don't forget she IS three! I tell Jadyn frequently, "You're acting like a TWO YEAR OLD!" if for no other reason than to remind myself! :-)
I love your resolve!

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" James 1:5 (I pray for parenting wisdom DAILY!)

Jenn said...

I hear you and I understand, I will take her off your hands anytime. Sometimes having two 3 year olds is easier. SERIOUSLY! They entertain each other and demand less MOM MOM MOM!

amain said...

UPDATE: Lisi was completely unphased by the decor (or lack there of) in her room. And this morning when I asked her to put on her shoes (which I had put in the laundry room), she said, "Momma, you even took my shoes. You need to go get them." ARGHHHH!!!
But she is not getting any of it back. I am hoping that over time she misses her stuff, and also having a bedtime story. She is going to have to earn back at least 1 book before she gets another story.
Thanks for all of the encouragement guys...she is certainly giving me a run for my money...and my sanity!!!

Sleep, what's that??? said...

I too agree with Angela! (she IS so cute!!!!) :O) I also am in your boat right now, but I just took away the books! Dakotah has been acting very poorly and making bad decisions, when I took her books away this morning, Curt asked me if I read your blog, and I hadn't! Thanks for the encouragement! (Meaning, I am not alone and doing something wrong!) Next time she does something bad, away goes the all the toys and so on! Hang in there!!! I can take Lisi anytime you need me too as well!!!

amain said...

Mandy~
Maybe you need to take Lisi, and I can take Dakotah, and then each of our kids will realize that we are not the only Mom to enforce good behavior:)
ARGHHH...have I mentioned that I am just worn out???

Sleep, what's that??? said...

Oh sweet thing! hang in there! I TOTALLY understand you and I am tired and worn out too! This week has been bad from the start!!!! I will seriously take Lisi if you need me too!!!!! Do you want me to come and get her on Tuesday for a couple of hours??? Maybe I will just plan on coming and getting her around 10:00, keep her for a little after lunch. I know she would have fun over here, but maybe you don't want her to have fun? ;o) Seriously, let me know!

Anonymous said...

Oh man!! I tell you what--I admire you. I wouldn't even know where I would put their stuff if I had to follow through on something like that! My kids hate playing in their rooms, so it is not much of a threat for them. (In fact, if I send Jaron to his room to 'cool off' he thinks it is the end of the world). Anyhooo, hang tough and if you need to run away--I can meet you somewhere :)

Angela said...

Amy~ I just want to tell you, I was about to blog a VERY similar entry regarding my Sam....he too has been stripped of all toys, stuffies, books, games, virtually everything! When you find something that works for your precious one. PLEASE let me know and I will absolutely steal it! If I should find the secret trick first I promise to pass it along! I agree they are not so cute when they act so ugly!!

amain said...

Angela~ Oh, I am so sorry to hear that there is even one other Mom having to go thru this, but I am here to assure you, I have had ALOT of response from this blog post!! We are not alone, and apparently, these pre-schoolers have a VERY strong will, so the 'consequences' that we enforce take time to have an effect.
That said, we have not seen much improvement:(
But I had forgotten about Melinda's daughter who even had her bedroom door taken away. Her daughter was our babysitter, and I remember now that Emmie thought it was 'funny' and just rolled with it. But after MONTHS of no door and no anything else, she realized that her parents meant business.
This is why we Moms have to stick together, and encourage each other:)
Good luck, my friend!

Melinda said...

You're right, Amy. You have to hang in there for the long haul. Remember that, if they act like it's no big deal, they're just trying to prove that they can outlast you (I promise it's still making an impression). It's up to you to prove they CAN'T. Remind me to tell you about "Camp Sisterhood" and the "A.I.P." - lovely little ditties my husband thought up. ;o)