Well, I know I'm supposed to be consistent, but sometimes it is such a challenge to be totally consistent. I have been working on not giving DD a command unless I'm willing to back it up. Too often, I'll ask her to do something, then when she appeals, I realize it wasn't such a big deal and I let her off the hook. Problem is, she's thinking that she gets to call the shots all the time.

So, I decided to buckle down and stick things out until she obeys, and until I see an attitude change. This is going to be a challenge for me, to stick it through all the way.

Yesterday went really well. She had to stand in the corner twice, and I was surpised she actually stayed in the corner without making a big issue out of it. The second time, she was just too wound up and throwing a big fit over nothing. I finally told her to go stand in the corner. She thought it was fun because the corner is a new thing. She stood there and sobbed for about a minute, then she totally calmed down. So I let her out of the corner and she was like a totally different child. I couldn't believe how that helped her to calm down so well. I hope it works that well next time. She has really been throwing a lot of fits lately.

Also, at naptime she decided to really just defy me. She refused to lay down. So, I stayed in her room and insisted she lie down until she finally complied. (She wanted to play, even though she was super tired.) Then she refused to close her eyes. (I think she was going to get back up and play as soon as I left the room.) I told her to close her eyes and she refused. I kept insisting, and I stayed there until she did. Normally, I would have just given up on the eye closing, since she was already lying down. But it finally occurred to me that if I let her get by with it, I was letting her get by with disobedience and a rebellious attitude. So I stood there until she obeyed, then I waiting a minute longer to make sure she would keep obeying. The really amazing thing was that once she finally decided to close her eyes, her whole attitude seemed to change. She became more peaceful, because she was no longer rebelling. I finally saw some fruit of my labors.

Now, I'm more determined to keep being consistent. I think if I do we will begin to see an end to this bad attitude. I have already gotten most of the tantrums under pretty good control. It doesn't happen near as often as it used to.

• Post A Comment!

Comments