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I bought my granddaughter a box of 96 crayons to use when she comes to visit (yes, I may be somewhat insane but I have the best of intentions)
Once she arrives and gets comfortable she dumps the whole box on my table and carefully searches for the colours she wants
Once she arrives and gets comfortable she dumps the whole box on my table and carefully searches for the colours she wants
The first few times I put them back all grouped together by colour (please refer to the first tweet where I plead insanity)
I quit that 
and began to just randomly put them back in the box, because I know now she prefers chaos where I like order but I respect our differences in preferences.
I believe she does it because she understands it's no big deal here
and began to just randomly put them back in the box, because I know now she prefers chaos where I like order but I respect our differences in preferences.I believe she does it because she understands it's no big deal here
Some may say this encourages bad behaviour. I'm more than happy to pick up after her because I'm a grown ass man and she is enjoying herself making art. She is safe. She knows I will tolerate messy and she knows what the important rules are
Childhood is fleeting. Your number one job is to keep them safe and healthy. All other parenting choices are optional
A child who learns boundaries based on anger will carry that through their life
A child who learns boundaries through love and understanding will carry that
A child who learns boundaries based on anger will carry that through their life
A child who learns boundaries through love and understanding will carry that
Both can be effective. Fear is a more powerful motivating factor, no one wants to be punished.
If you raise a child with love, and take the time to explain and reinforce appropriate behaviour your child will actually behave better just because they don't want to disappoint you
If you raise a child with love, and take the time to explain and reinforce appropriate behaviour your child will actually behave better just because they don't want to disappoint you
If you go with the punishment route, humans, including children, will get used to it, and you'll have to continue to escalate. Children unable to express their feelings about their treatment often become oppositional, in and outside the home
If you go the other way, you don't have to keep coming up with new schemes to love your child.
Is it harder work? Yes it is. Is it worth it? In my estimation, yes it is.
I'm sure many people will misconstrue what I'm saying, but that's their choice
Is it harder work? Yes it is. Is it worth it? In my estimation, yes it is.
I'm sure many people will misconstrue what I'm saying, but that's their choice
In short, just be less angry about your kids being kids.
If you constantly sweat the small stuff, how do you expect a child to know what the big stuff is?
If you constantly sweat the small stuff, how do you expect a child to know what the big stuff is?
And that's my thread about crayons. Happy 2021
