Sometimes mommies need a time out too. That’s what I was thinking last night after Hailey threw her bowl of macaroni and cheese all over the floor and smooshed it all over the table. I got angry at her and corrected her, of course. She then cried, of course. It was really the first big blowout we’ve had. I don’t think she was expecting to get into trouble for that one. It was too much to just let go. So, I put her to an early bed and when I left her room after kissing her on her head, I had to breathe and count to ten. I realized that I, in fact, needed a time out too. It wasn’t necessarily fair for me to get so angry at her when I have been preoccupied all day and not spending any good quality time with her. She had her reasons for being angry with me. No, I haven’t forgotten that she is only 19 mos. old but at the same time, I’m not perfect either and maybe sometimes I need to be corrected too.
So, I went about my business when I heard her start to cry in her room and call for me. I think she felt bad about the way we left things. I got her from her bed (that she STILL doesn’t get out of!) and we both laid down on our bed and had a chat. I think it comforted her to know that I wasn’t mad at her but that I just wasn’t happy with what she had done. I tried to explain it to her in my best “I-know-you’re-only-19 mos. old-but-try-to-understand-me” language. She went to bed much better after our little conversation.
From now on, I’m going to make sure and take a time out whenever Hailey gets one so I can reflect on what it is that really made both of us angry.
I read your blog periodically, because your little one is the same age as my two! This age is fun, but getting tough! Good advice!
Yes….good advice. I find myself having to do this quite a bit. I just had a conversation like this w/ my dad last night on the phone. Talking about finding that balance of discipline and not letting your emotions in the heat of the moment get the best of you.
I remember when I would get in trouble with my mom. She has a bit of a temper and would fly off the handle a bit when I did something wrong. But now matter how angry she got “in the moment”, she would always come back later and talk with me about what made her mad so that I would understand why I was being punished. I think the explanation helped. She did that even until I was a teenager and I think it worked. Good job!
So proud of you Amy. You handled that situation so well !!