As in hours before daylight that God didn’t intend for people to BE AWAKE or He would have sent the sun earlier, early.
After several years of Nirvana management I came up with a clever scheme to assure that I didn’t see the boys TOO EARLY.
At first, before they could tell time, we set the TV to automatically come on at 6:30. They were allowed to come down and watch TV when they heard Peep’s theme song.
As the boys have matured the rules have slightly changed. They can now tell time so no one is allowed out of their bed before 6:15 and no one is allowed downstairs until all three boys are fully dressed AND (not OR) it is past 6:30.
This means the boys pick out their own clothes. They and are assisted by a 7 y/o fashion director. Some days their clothes match. Other days…not so much.
Really, not matching is no big deal. But during three months out of the Texas calendar, weather makes it a big deal. The boys are used to wearing shorts, t-shirts and crocs 24/7. Long pants are difficult to endure, socks are painful and a coat is downright torture.
Last Friday the outside temperature dipped into the *gasp* 30s. We were scheduled to do a little hike with friends OUTDOORS. We were to meet them at 10:00.
6:30–Three boys dressed in shorts and t-shirts run down the stairs.
7:00–breakfast, discussion of plans…excitement builds for the days activities until I mention we will have to change clothes.
7:30–all joy has left the Nirvana household. Grumbling and bargaining ensue.
8:00–I go upstairs to pick out alternative, warmer clothes.
8:15–Moaning.
8:30–Wailing.
8:45–Gnashing of teeth.
9:00–Two older boys have been threatened into submission of warmer attire.
9:01–Time to take on the 2 y/o…
Yes, it is the classic battle of MOM vs. TODDLER.
Will years of mommy on-the-job training win out?
or…
Will the crafty toddler’s unconventional play ruin the game plan?
The game starts as expected. Mom uses size and strength to her advantage by holding down toddler limbs while stuffing them into long sleeves and pant legs. The toddler utilizes his massive lung capacity as an effective defense.
Luckily this mother has been training for a long time and holds not only determination, but endurance. The clothes are donned.
Mom-1
Toddler-0
The mother applies socks to the flailing legs but realizes that she is outmatched when it comes to tying shoes onto such a persistent offense. She gives up the point and allows the crocs over socks.
Mom-1
Toddler-1
The mother then pulls out the dreaded coat. The toddler screams in horror. The mother delays the game by taking the coat in the car.
When the destination is reached, the mother attempts to place the coat on the child. The toddler’s quick spinning and melting moves are too quick for the mother…it appears that this point will go to the toddler.
EXCEPT
The mother feigns defeat. The mother leads the toddler on the hike sans coat.
What is this mother thinking?
It is COLD!
Three minutes pass in the windy 35 degree woods.
The mother asks the toddler if he is cold.
Yes.
Would the toddler like to wear the coat the mother lovingly brought?
Yes.
Mom-2
Toddler-1
*insert end of game celebration here*The boys get up early.
As in hours before daylight that God didn’t intend for people to BE AWAKE or He would have sent the sun earlier, early.
After several years of Nirvana management I came up with a clever scheme to assure that I didn’t see the boys TOO EARLY.
At first, before they could tell time, we set the TV to automatically come on at 6:30. They were allowed to come down and watch TV when they heard Peep’s theme song.
As the boys have matured the rules have slightly changed. They can now tell time so no one is allowed out of their bed before 6:15 and no one is allowed downstairs until all three boys are fully dressed AND (not OR) it is past 6:30.
This means the boys pick out their own clothes. They and are assisted by a 7 y/o fashion director. Some days their clothes match. Other days…not so much.
Really, not matching is no big deal. But during three months out of the Texas calendar, weather makes it a big deal. The boys are used to wearing shorts, t-shirts and crocs 24/7. Long pants are difficult to endure, socks are painful and a coat is downright torture.
Last Friday the outside temperature dipped into the *gasp* 30s. We were scheduled to do a little hike with friends OUTDOORS. We were to meet them at 10:00.
6:30–Three boys dressed in shorts and t-shirts run down the stairs.
7:00–breakfast, discussion of plans…excitement builds for the days activities until I mention we will have to change clothes.
7:30–all joy has left the Nirvana household. Grumbling and bargaining ensue.
8:00–I go upstairs to pick out alternative, warmer clothes.
8:15–Moaning.
8:30–Wailing.
8:45–Gnashing of teeth.
9:00–Two older boys have been threatened into submission of warmer attire.
9:01–Time to take on the 2 y/o…
Yes, it is the classic battle of MOM vs. TODDLER.
Will years of mommy on-the-job training win out?
or…
Will the crafty toddler’s unconventional play ruin the game plan?
The game starts as expected. Mom uses size and strength to her advantage by holding down toddler limbs while stuffing them into long sleeves and pant legs. The toddler utilizes his massive lung capacity as an effective defense.
Luckily this mother has been training for a long time and holds not only determination, but endurance. The clothes are donned.
Mom-1
Toddler-0
The mother applies socks to the flailing legs but realizes that she is outmatched when it comes to tying shoes onto such a persistent offense. She gives up the point and allows the crocs over socks.
Mom-1
Toddler-1
The mother then pulls out the dreaded coat. The toddler screams in horror. The mother delays the game by taking the coat in the car.
When the destination is reached, the mother attempts to place the coat on the child. The toddler’s quick spinning and melting moves are too quick for the mother…it appears that this point will go to the toddler.
EXCEPT
The mother feigns defeat. The mother leads the toddler on the hike sans coat.
What is this mother thinking?
It is COLD!
Three minutes pass in the windy 35 degree woods.
The mother asks the toddler if he is cold.
Yes.
Would the toddler like to wear the coat the mother lovingly brought?
Yes.
Mom-2
Toddler-1
*insert end of game celebration here*
As in hours before daylight that God didn’t intend for people to BE AWAKE or He would have sent the sun earlier, early.
After several years of Nirvana management I came up with a clever scheme to assure that I didn’t see the boys TOO EARLY.
At first, before they could tell time, we set the TV to automatically come on at 6:30. They were allowed to come down and watch TV when they heard Peep’s theme song.
As the boys have matured the rules have slightly changed. They can now tell time so no one is allowed out of their bed before 6:15 and no one is allowed downstairs until all three boys are fully dressed AND (not OR) it is past 6:30.
This means the boys pick out their own clothes. They and are assisted by a 7 y/o fashion director. Some days their clothes match. Other days…not so much.
Really, not matching is no big deal. But during three months out of the Texas calendar, weather makes it a big deal. The boys are used to wearing shorts, t-shirts and crocs 24/7. Long pants are difficult to endure, socks are painful and a coat is downright torture.
Last Friday the outside temperature dipped into the *gasp* 30s. We were scheduled to do a little hike with friends OUTDOORS. We were to meet them at 10:00.
6:30–Three boys dressed in shorts and t-shirts run down the stairs.
7:00–breakfast, discussion of plans…excitement builds for the days activities until I mention we will have to change clothes.
7:30–all joy has left the Nirvana household. Grumbling and bargaining ensue.
8:00–I go upstairs to pick out alternative, warmer clothes.
8:15–Moaning.
8:30–Wailing.
8:45–Gnashing of teeth.
9:00–Two older boys have been threatened into submission of warmer attire.
9:01–Time to take on the 2 y/o…
Yes, it is the classic battle of MOM vs. TODDLER.
Will years of mommy on-the-job training win out?
or…
Will the crafty toddler’s unconventional play ruin the game plan?
The game starts as expected. Mom uses size and strength to her advantage by holding down toddler limbs while stuffing them into long sleeves and pant legs. The toddler utilizes his massive lung capacity as an effective defense.
Luckily this mother has been training for a long time and holds not only determination, but endurance. The clothes are donned.
Mom-1
Toddler-0
The mother applies socks to the flailing legs but realizes that she is outmatched when it comes to tying shoes onto such a persistent offense. She gives up the point and allows the crocs over socks.
Mom-1
Toddler-1
The mother then pulls out the dreaded coat. The toddler screams in horror. The mother delays the game by taking the coat in the car.
When the destination is reached, the mother attempts to place the coat on the child. The toddler’s quick spinning and melting moves are too quick for the mother…it appears that this point will go to the toddler.
EXCEPT
The mother feigns defeat. The mother leads the toddler on the hike sans coat.
What is this mother thinking?
It is COLD!
Three minutes pass in the windy 35 degree woods.
The mother asks the toddler if he is cold.
Yes.
Would the toddler like to wear the coat the mother lovingly brought?
Yes.
Mom-2
Toddler-1
*insert end of game celebration here*
Oh my, how strong-willed those two year olds are (by the way 30’s are still shorts weather around here, just don’t tell Jenni.), and I find that they can have pretty wicked right and left crosses on occasion. In case you were wondering, it doesn’t matter if the two-year old is a boy or a girl, same battles. (I LOVE THEM!!)
Whoa! Cool new do (is that spelled right?), now I am wondering if I missed an installment, because last I saw you were blonde. It looks great by the way, and I’m not just saying that.
Have a great Thanksgiving!!
Well played! I was on the losing end of this battle this morning. I’m taking notes for future reference.
🙂 You learned my sanity saving trick! Instead of arguing about jackets or hats or whatever, I just say “You’ll be cold!” and stick them in the car/backpack.
Sure enough, he always ALWAYS says “I’d like my jacket now!” and I didn’t have to bargain at all…
congrats on a WELL DESERVED victory… Bonus point?
Sometimes the best offense is a good defense.
LMAO I just tell my kids that I’m bigger. I win.
You have three awards waiting for you over at my blog… Happy Thanksgiving!
http://ariazink.blogspot.com
Congrats!
A yes, toddler wrestling. Intended outfit – pink t-shirt, pink/brown camo cargo pants & sneakers – after a brief "discussion" she opted for pink and brown horizontal striped turtleneck, pink/blue/red/silver horizontal striped pants, white socks and coral flip-flops…it was toddler "hot" – once she was dressed I decided my husband should do today's daycare drop off…
THIS IS HYSTERICAL.. yet it is my life EVERY DAY and I at those moments I dont find it quite as funny. lol
My son is a ridulous early bird also btw, and we’ve been trying everything under the sun to get him to sleep later… dark shades, going to sleep later… nothing matters-6:15 or EARLIER!! he’s up screaming to get out of bed…although he’s gotten better at that part- this week hes actually gotten himself out of bed and came into our room on our own…guess its a start right?
If you have any helpful hiints to get them to sleep later, magic spells whatever- lol … PLEASE, I BEG YOU … do share!!!
So painful, so deafening, so familiar.
I’m changing your name to June Clever.
You knew he would get cold. You are one smart mama!