Toys, Tantrums and Pocket Money

A couple of weeks ago I witnessed the worst tantrum in the supermarket that I had ever seen.  It came from my son.  It was over a activity pack that I said he could have if he helped me with the shopping.  Unfortunately Ben did not help me with the shopping.  He began running around the shop.  I had given him two warning before I put him in the trolley and told him we had to put the activity pack back.  He held onto the activity pack with all of his might.  But when we reached the checkout I took it off him.  WOW…… I have never seen anything like it – screaming, kicking, punching, tears.  His face was so red.  He was so angry.  But I couldn’t give it back to him……. could I……NO NO NO?  We got through the checkout, packed the groceries and out to the car and he was still screaming the place down.  By the time we had got home he had calmed down.  But I was shaken!

Last week when we went to the shopping centre I took back up.  Andrew came along to and we had had a long discussion with Ben that we would not be buying any toys.  We had jobs to do.  We once again had tears on our departure because he didn’t get anything but it was nothing compared to the first incident.

I know I spoil Ben…… only child and all.   Not really the best parenting strategy!!  So as a result we are going through detox.  The detox strategy is going to the shops and I am not buying any toys.  It breaks my heart to see him so upset but his behavior is unacceptable.  I do feel guilty because I helped create that behavior.  Mothers guilt!

We now seem to have reached a happy place when visiting the shops.  I have introduced pocket money.  Ben now has pocket money that he receives for completing jobs.  He loves it and is now more interested in collecting gold coins than toys.   So now when we are at the shops he has his pocket money to spend.  If he hasn’t got enough money he is learning that he needs to do some more jobs to earn enough.  His jobs include – feeding the dog, helping to set and clear the table, picking up his toys, collecting the eggs and picking up the dogs toys.  I have been using  You Rule Chores on my iPhone.

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We have found it pretty great.  However Ben sometimes plays with it and gives himself extra coins!  I found the application here.   If you don’t already read Li’l Magoolie it is worth a look.

Fingers crossed for no more tantrums!!

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A Quiet Moment….

Today was  a testing day.  Ben tested most of his boundaries just in case they had changed.  So there was  a few tantrums when he realised that the rules hadn’t changed in his favor!  I was nearly at the end of my tether when I noticed all had gone quiet except for this little voice coming from the lounge.  Ben had curled up with his favorite books and was reading.  He was turning the pages and saying words.  My little boy is growing up and wow it is so lovely to witness.  His favorite books at the moment are Busy Railway by Rebecca Finn (he turns the pages saying ‘toot toot choo choo’).  He also enjoys Row Row Row Your Boat by Trace Moroney and Baa Baa Black Sheep by Brimax  (he says ‘Row row row’ and ‘Baa Baa’).  Some other favorites are Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell, Noisey Cars by Bright Baby, Gallop by Rufus Butler Seder, Cats by Baby Einstein  and Playschool Numbers by ABC.  We have story time every night before he goes to bed.  It is my favorite part of the day.

Busy Railway_.jpgRow Row Row Your Boat.jpgBaa-Baa-Black-Sheep.jpgDear Zoo.jpgNoisy Car.jpgGallop.jpgCats.jpgPlayschool Numbers.jpg

Broken Arm – Update

The Specialist – Dr Mohoney, is very happy with how the arm is healing. He removed the strap from around Ben’s body. So now Ben just has a little sling that fits over his wrist. Ben is much happier about this. The Specialist said that probably next week Ben will just begin to use his arm again. At the most Ben will have the sling for three weeks but it can come off anytime after two weeks.

Ben is doing considerably well. He is managing to scoot around on his bottom and get to most things he wants. However I have spoilt him a little and he is obsessed with DVDs. He is constantly wanting the Justine Clarke – I like to Sing DVD put on. I have given in every time. I can see when the sling comes off there will be some MAJOR tantrums – Oh Dear!!!