Dear Mom of many,
I have two kids. Two very excitable boys who run like wild banchees throughout any event that we attempt. The tantrums are loud, the stares are glaring and the judgement cuts deep.
How do you do it?
Seriously? Is there some secret e-book that comes to your email with the birth of your 3rd, 4th, and 5th…7th child? Some amazing handbook that reveals the secrets that us moms of 1 or 2 don’t get to have. Some amazing magic words that let your kids know that you mean business?
Can you share?
In the last few weeks I’ve waited (I’m a server) on a few families who have many children. One family inparticular had 5, the one tonight had seven. Their children were so polite, well behaved and just plain nice. I am envious! I want to know how I can make this happen with my two hellions boys. I want to job shadow, even just for a day, to learn how I can be this amazing mom who’s children are sensible and well behaved. Who sit and eat a meal in a restaurant without trying to do backflips off the table, and plunging their fingers into the commune salad bar.
If you wont have me, please, can you train my boys? I’m sure that you, being the masterful mom of many, would have no problems training my boys, please.
Or just forward me that e book I spoke of earlier…I know there has to be one.
My best tip is to enforce punishments, threats. If you say “If you don’t pick that up I’ll throw it away.’ You’d better be willing to do just that. My kids know that 1-2-3 means business. I count slow so they have time to decide if they really want to have that fit or disobey or if they want to make it easy and just do as I ask. Time out is for how ever many minutes they are old. And yes sometimes I yell and loos my cool too. We do a lot of talking about consequences and why there are rules.
As for going out, my kids know that if they don’t behave when they are out with me they lose the privilege of going out. I am not afraid of leaving halfway through a trip to take a screaming child to the car and go home. It’s essential and necessary that they listen to me. It would be too hard with 5 other wise.
You are welcome to come shadow me any time! I’d love to see you again IRL.