Be Supernanny

Advise....it comes from all directions, most of it conflicting.

And usually when you really don't want to listen.  You usually give the head nod and the yup, I know,
yea, yea, yeas.  And your mind is really just rattling off a list of things you could be accomplishing in those precious moments.  

Or, you could be me, and find yourself in the pediatrician's office for a routine visit and both kids are running around the room like maniacs, wrapping themselves up in the paper cloth that covers the examination table.  You try your hardest to calm them, but it only seems to rile them up more.  They are so loud that the doctor is actually yelling over them, only to turn around and hand you a pamphlet for a child behavior professional and mentions that you should give them a call, immediately. 
(True story)

Which is why I am turning to my internet peoples....because this is the place where you get it told to you like it is. 
I often wonder if the reason for that is because it's not face to face.  Easier to blend into the crowd after you just told some poor sap of a Mom that she is nuts and should have obtained herself a dog instead of children. 

But, sadly, I am welcoming it.  Give it to me good.  Your reward methods.  Discipline methods.  And be truthful.  None of this, well they came out of the womb perfect little angels and I just have to give them the stink eye and they know I mean business.  Besides, my labor was like 10 minutes and I skipped out of the hospital with a baby in my arm and a cake for the neighbor. 
By the way....does anyone really use the stink eye and if you do, would you mind taking a picture of yourself giving it.  I could really use that tool on my belt. 

Like I was saying....are you that brave Mom who takes your kids.....oh my God, I'm going to say it........to the grocery store??? If you do, HOW? 
From my experience, I have learned not to get hotdogs in the beginning of my trip because they will have been chewed on until they are unrecognizable by the end of the spree.   And I have to confess, I have actually hit the candy aisle first, grabbed a bag of lollipops and handed them to the kids with free reign.  It was the most enjoyable shopping adventure I have had to date.
Although if you are thinking about trying it, DON'T.  The repercussions of that are kids hanging from the ceiling fan and finally falling into a sugar coma an hour later, after screaming and crying until your head feels like it could just blow right off your shoulders.  Seriously.

How about eating out?  Been there, done that.  Actually cleared a table full of family due to embarrassment.  We have had so much experience in this department that we arm ourselves with a portable DVD player and iPod (the kids can't share) and have the waitress put the kid's order in before we even sit down. 
Although, by the time our dinner arrives, we need to eat like wolves on their last meal just to get out of there with the place in one piece.  Which is why our big night out is the play area of Burger King. 

Now, it's your turn.  Give me that motherly advise.  And if you have a story worse than any of the above, please tell.  It gives me sick pleasure to know someone else has it worse off than me.  Kinda the reason why I watch Jon and Kate plus 8. 

Comments

[Lesley]

I'm no Supernanny and we've had a couple of unpleasant experiences in restaurants (when I think about it now, however, I realise that they were just too young to be expected to sit quietly for 2 hours in a formal setting). But when we were going through a particularly difficult phase with our two we set up a chart system with green, orange and red stickers for behaviour and that seemed to work.
Another thing that seems to help is taking them out separately because the dynamics change and they enjoy having one parent's undivided attention for a short period.
Mine are 7 and nearly 9 and while they're far from being little angels, I promise it does get better!

[Heather]

Oh gawd, are you that mom? I usually secretly roll my eyes at you. really. oops! It sounds like you don't start out with firm expectations. My kids roll their eyes, but the doctor's office/waiting room rule is sit in your chair. don't move. I rarely bring anything to play with because then they want a different book, his book, her book, I'm tired of looking at books, he breathed on my book.... They often get the "it's supposed to be boring lecture" and I would much rather have pouting than mayhem. The waiting rooms have tvs so I'm not being totally mean. 15 minutes of sitting still never killed anyone. I also don't reward good behavior in these instances other than verbally after the fact. There's no, we'll go to McD's if you just .... We sing songs, look at the art on the wall, play I spy....

I take all three of my kids everywhere and it's not that I'm uber-strict, but as Katia is--just consistent. My big thing is that I don't ignore non-compliance with what I've asked. If I say don't chew the hot dogs, I follow it through to the end whatever that looks like be it hiding them under the potatoes or putting them back on the shelf or moving kid x out of reach of them.

I would much rather make them uncomfortable in the short term (crying over x or y) then keep the peace and deal w/ a bigger meltdown next time.

[Katia / Crazy for trying]

wow.
1. whatever you do BE CONSISTENT.
2. if you threaten a consequence FOLLOW THROUGH.
3. reward them for good behaviour; ignore them when they are acting out (maybe they're just trying to get your attention?)

I think you've got your work cut out for you and I don't envy you. But... you can change a child's behaviour! Good luck.