But screw that because what I need now is to STOP THE INSANITY.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Stop the Insanity!
The time between dinner and bedtime is what I like to call, "the hour of insanity." This is when Kiddo goes completely bonkers. B.O.N.K.E.R.S. It's not like it is late and he is overtired, and I can't even blame it on New Kid because it started long before he came along. None of my lecturing reasoning with him to calm down was working. He wouldn't engage with any of the quiet time activites he does during the day, like puzzles or even his transportation and maps. The last few nights I have tried activity books --- like with mazes and number or letter worksheets. In an effort to make them more enticing, I call them the "special" activity books and he is only allowed to have them after dinner. It has worked for 2 nights so far, it won't last forever, I know. In my past life I would have got up on my high horse about how activity workbooks are the antithesis of creativity and I would never encourage my kid to perform cookie cutter tasks, blah, blah, blah.
But screw that because what I need now is to STOP THE INSANITY.
But screw that because what I need now is to STOP THE INSANITY.
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I am SO feelin' your pain! I can't even imagine adding a second child to the mix, so I know you must be even way more stressed than me. But as far as the activity books go,...I completely understand. I used to say no way, no how. But now I've come to think that as long as plenty of creative materials are encouraged and available, an occasional age-appropriate maze or dot-to-dot IS NOT going to stifle a kid's creativity! The problem can come to those who are ONLY or mostly given coloring/activity books and have a parent hovering over them reminding them to stay with-in the lines.
ReplyDeleteThat hour before bedtime is madness! Playdough gets taken out at that time. Big rugrat will sit happily at the table with playdough for a LONG time. Then we do bath time for a little while (my kids LOVE the bath) and then I broke down and gave 20 minutes of tv before bedtime. It helps calm big rugrat down while I feed little rugrat.
ReplyDeleteNot that most creative or inventive solutions on my part but it helps.
I never thought about activity books as stifling creativity but you have made me look at them in a new light. Right now big rugrat shows no interest in them (she prefers plan paper, puff balls and glue to make her current masterpieces) so I don't have to resolve my feelings there yet.
I do understand the bonkers and I'm glad to read I am not alone. Both my kids seem to go crazy in the early evening. I used to blame it on my husband's return home in the evenings but I've noticed that it happens even when he is gone. You're right, nothing seems to work. Activity books wouldn't work with us. I have found that limiting "play time" with Daddy seems to help a bit.
ReplyDeleteI hope the activity books help for a while longer. I can't think of one thing I could introduce that my oldest would think is special.
The craziness mostly takes the form of verbal antics. I would love to read other's suggestions.
Yep, I'm loving activity books right now too. Our "Hour of Horror" is the hour after she's missed/refused naptime.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...how strange. We've recently discovered the wonder of some well-timed workbooks too. Go figure!
ReplyDelete