Ever get a feeling your days are starting to look like a scene out of a bad reality show?

I remember a time when every morning felt like that!

My daughter was just about 3 years old then.

My in-laws were visiting us.

I have no idea why, but my daughter had started to really act out. She seemed to resist, fight and demand that everything must go her way. But the mother of all battles was about what clothes to wear. Every. single. morning.

Summer was long gone, and the cold winter was settling in. But she was not ready to give up her favorite summer frocks yet. She had declared war on every coat, jacket, leggings, full-sleeved shirts or winter dresses that we owned. NOT fun.

After a couple of weeks of begging, pleading, bribing, screaming, crying, tantrums and threats – every single morning – we were all worn out.

To me this was a double whammy. I was not just frustrated with my inability to dress her up in weather appropriate clothing, I was also eternally embarrassed about the daily spectacle that my in-laws got to witness.

And then one day, my father-in-law had a suggestion.

Now honestly, I can be a butt-head about accepting advice, especially from in-laws, especially if I felt that it questions my parenting abilities.

But seriously, I had no defense – any semblance of my parenting capabilities lay tattered on the floor and besides, my father-in-law is the sweetest man in the world. [Read more…]

Ever wonder why we nag or scream at our kids so much? Have you ever really tried to get to the bottom of it?

I was (on occasion, still am) quite possibly one of the most impatient people on the planet. As far back as I can remember, I’d snap and lash out at the slightest provocation.

When my daughter was born, I knew I had to change. As she grew up and started to show us that her personality constituted of multiplied stubbornness from both sides of the family, I knew I really had no choice in this matter.

I have tried several times to quit out of the nag/scream/yell/boss-around habit.

Most often, what would happen is, I would be patient for a few days. My daughter would see it as a sign that I am softening up and would try to push the boundaries. I’d start nagging in an attempt to improve her behavior. This wouldn’t get me too far. And then one day, without much warning, I’d just explode.

We would both end up so drained after one of these episodes.

Obviously, my attempts to break my nagging/screaming/yelling habit were not panning out the way I wanted them to. But I didn’t want to give up just yet.

[Read more…]