Patience

Right about now, I have none.

But, I have heard that this is one of the best parenting tools you can have.

Although I ran that guy over with my van full of screaming children, but still, I guess he COULD have be right. 

Patience. 

See, I am of the belief that when a child sees that your scared tired, they act up.  They can smell the fear see that you are not at 100% thus can get away with more. 

If you are giving baths.  And they are throwing water.  Screaming is only going to make it worse.  You are raising the noise lever which in turn covers the effect. 
Now, that same situation, if you throw it back at them not only do you gain satisfaction but you also join in the fun.  And fun Mommies are the best Mommies. 

Or cooking dinner.  If your child is standing there begging for a snack and you snap back at them, "NO!" they will just begin to beg louder.
Now, if you take that snack and put it in the dog's bowl, and they eat it, then you know they really were hungry and not bugging you out of pure enjoyment. 

And finally, messes.  You can scream and holler all day until you are blue in the face and Child Protective Services are at your door, but they will still not clean it up. 
Now, if you take that mess and throw it in the trash, that scenario can never happen again.
Better yet, guzzle a bottle of wine and that same mess turns into a blur.

*Disclaimer.....I am not claiming to be a parenting guru.  I am no Super Nanny.  I can't make kids behave in 43 minutes, not including commercials.  If you believe any of the above, you are crazier then a loon and don't really care about your parenting style and probably skipped over this post to read some trash at the online Star magazine site.  'Nuff said.*

Comments

[Mrs. Nurse Boy]

You simply crack me up!!!

Mrs. Nurse Boy

[susan]

Snacks in the dog bowl, eh? You may very well be on to something here...

[Katia / Crazy For Trying]

I will quote what my mother said to my husband @ our wedding:
"your bride is NOT blessed with endless patience."

sigh.

[Lisa (Jonny's Mommy)]

I have taken notes and will be following this to a tee.

Now...where is my Star? Hmmmm... I need to read about Angelina Jolie growing a third breast.

[Mel @ A Box of Chocolates]

When God was handing out patience he somehow skipped over me! However, I am a firm believer if you can't beat em join em so agree that sometimes you just gotta give in. Enjoy your weekend.

[karen]

You could do like that lady lawyer in NYC who kicked her kids out of the car cause they were bickering. I'll come visit you in sing-sing.