When my kids were toddlers going through their "terrible" phase, they said NO all the time

[HughMoran]

Thankfully, we didn't let them set policy in our family unit :)

We would let them cry themselves out if they needed to, then 10 minutes later they would be happy as clams - completely forgetting why they were upset in the first place.

Sorry Republicans.




We're in charge now.

[Shandris]

1. How did you get Denny Hastert's picture?!? (n/t)

[Brigid]

14. Denny Hastert?

I thought it was Glenn Beck. :)

[JeanGrey]

2. This reminds me of something. My nephew has a three year

old daughter who looks like Elizabeth Taylor but acts like a brat. I recently spent a week with the family and needless to say the child almost ruined everything - she threw things, stomped her feet, screamed, ran away, threw food, you wouldn't believe it. We were all shocked. My nephew said that his wife "wouldn't let him discipline" her and that they fought about it (and believe you me, don't the child know it).

Anyway I basically told him that if they didn't get a united front and a handle on this little girl she'd be standing them up in a corner soon.

On the flight back, she wanted down and started SCREAMING about ten minutes into the flight, you know that C above high C scream that makes your spinal cord begin to vibrate? After ten long minutes of this I got up, unbuckled my seat belt, walked back, stopped down into her face as close as I could get and said "Rose, BE QUIET".

She was so shocked she shut up immediately and said no more.

Whew. All you people with these kids, get a grip!!!

[Binka]

7. I Have Four Children, Ages 28, 25, & 23, And An 8 Year Old

They all had their "moments" to be sure, (my 8 year old still gives it to me) but they never doubted that I was the BOSS. Early and often I made sure they understood right from wrong. It takes hard work and most importantly it takes CONSISTENCY. You can not do the job half-assed, it must be a continual and constant reminder to them that as the parent you are teaching and LOVING them. They need to understand why "NO" from their parent is the right answer. Holy shit they are KIDS, and really have NO CLUE.

I wasn't so didactic that it was "my way or the highway" but it was pretty close to that. Children understand boundaries, and in fact kids are looking for that. My adult kids are FINE people, loving and kind. My 8 year old continues to amaze me. BTW a sharp crack on the ass didn't hurt.

Time out is so much more meaningful if their butt hurts.

I've always had a grip on my kids.

[JeanGrey]

17. Apparently, there are an amazing amount of people who

do not. As in the case of my nephew and his wife.

[mamaleah]

10. Parents need to remember they are the parents.

And they are responsible for turning out decently rounded, well mannered adults.

I never was sat down with a logical talking to by my parents about how running amok in the store or at a restaurant was dangerous. My mom solved it with a pop on the butt. And it hurt. And it hardly ever happened because 1)it was embarrassing and 2) It HURT.

My mother still has her death laser look. I have been working on mine as well.

[JeanGrey]

18. The first serious tatrum my son threw at 3 in the store got him

a butt smacking, and I bet it did hurt. He never did it again.

[mamaleah]

21. It was probably the humiliation too.

I have to say that getting a butt smacking or a very stern dressing down in public was one thing I dreaded.

It is so common to see public tantrums nowadays because parents are terrified of being accosted by busy bodies telling them how to parent. I'd like to point out that most busy body/backseat parents are not actually parents most of the time.

[JeanGrey]

24. You bet they are. What a shame.

[ejpoeta]

15. you HAVE to discipline a kid. discipline doesn't have to be spanking...

time outs usually work... i like incentives and let the kids earn things with a sticker chart. but you have to do something. And a kid can tell any cracks... you have to have a united front. as soon as they see some way to get what they want, forget it. and also, you undermine the authority of someone if you tell them not to do something in front of the kid. It's been such a struggle with the oldest especially... trying to figure things out. but i realized that if I didn't get a handle on her, there would come a time I couldn't pick her up and carry her out of a store or somewhere else. those parents are asking for trouble if they don't nip that in the bud!! your job as a parent isn't to be friends or not to want to make your kids upset... it's to make it so they can function in the world, in school, around others. they are not the center of the universe... and they need to understand that. when my kids tell me I'm mean or that they hate me, I respond.... well, then I must be doing something right... or, somebody's got to be mean... might as well be me. they know I mean business.... you can't say you are going to do something and then not do it. if i start counting, they know they better hop to it and do what I said to do.

[JeanGrey]

19. A united front between parents is number ONE! Why people

don't get this is beyond me........otoh, I saw someone trying to get a two year old to sit in a time out for FIFTEEN minutes, can you believe that? (sigh)

[ejpoeta]

22. i think 2 is iffy. if you ever watch supernanny, she seems to be able to get a 2 year old to sit in

a time out. I tend to think that is a bit early for that myself. but every kid is different. Consistency is key, though besides the united front. I was talking to my sister yesterday about kids not behaving and remembering how we did what we were told and didn't talk back to our parents because we didn't want to get it. We may not know for sure what would happen, but we didn't want to find out either.

[JeanGrey]

23. No two year old can sit in a time out for 15 minutes. The

rule is one minute per year of age. Some people just don't use their heads.

[ejpoeta]

25. i misunderstood. i thought they meant that the people were trying for fifteen minutes

because the kid kept getting up. my husband will do that.... try to make the kids sit for a long period of time. i tell him ashley gets three minutes.

[JeanGrey]

26. They wanted him to sit for five minutes.

Idiots.

[ejpoeta]

27. good luck with that.

[timeforpeace]

3. Does the "I got this" picture refer to health care?

[Shandris]

4. I think its more of an all-encompassing...

...response to the last 8 years. I have a similar .jpg from the Inauguration with slightly more...colorful language. :) But I've always considered it as 'Everyone calm down, I know things look bad but...I've got this covered, so chill out some'. Other interpretations may vary, naturally.

[HughMoran]

6. I thought of this based on the healthcare debate this past month

So yes, that was my primary motivation. The fact that it applies to everything Republican is just a coincidence. :)

[OHdem10]

5. Pediatricians call this phase in childhood---"Terrible Twos"

Perfect description of GOP.

[eleny]

8. You been reading my mind?

I just can't get the image of the Republicans as 2 year olds out of my head these days.

They lost the presidential election on top of losing seats in Congress and now Obama even got to put his choice on the Supreme Court bench. And the Repubs are stamping their feet and screaming every chance anyone is looking at them.

They've come a long way from the kind of dignified public image they tried to create for themselves when I was a youngster.

[HughMoran]

9. I can't believe that the press still treats them as if they were a viable party

I think that perhaps Faux is the worst thing that's ever happened to the Republicans, because if they had to stand up to the scrutiny of a real press without having Faux "news" as a foil and fallback, they'd be shitting bricks now. Eventually it will catch up to them - either they disappear as a party or they start a civil war - cause there's no future on the path they're on (yes, acting like 2 years olds.)

[pink-o]

16. I have been frustrated by this media validation for years!

But since they're corporate shills, and know where their bread and butter comes from, you can almost see their point.

It's when DEMOCRATS treat those Babies like they're a viable party that gets up my nose!

[HughMoran]

11. I had a dreadful thought after I posted this and went back to mowing my lawn

I thought "what if people start commenting as if this was a thread about parenting"?

:( Alas, DU has a "thing" about parenting and many will divert there instead of enjoying my metaphor. :(

[eleny]

12. It'll be okay so long as you don't mention breast feeding

[JeanGrey]

20. LOL

[jwirr]

13. I have always taken comfort from his "I got this!" pictures. Thank you.