So after how many weeks of the children constantly fighting, I finally found the fool proof solution - give up... I got a blanket and laid on the couch and told the children that they were not to whinge to me - that i am off limits unless they were willing to use their words to sort out their problems. To start with I had a few complaints which were answered with 'use your words and tell master 3 to stop'. Then a miracle happened... when i stopped intervening, they started to work it out for themselves!
Of course, this may have just been a lucky coincidence and not fool proof at all but i have seen some benefits of stepping back. I had a wonderful time yesterday listening to them laughing and working together, I was so happy feeling like a wonderful mum. I went out to see what had them so enthralled only to find my washing powder strewn all over the lawn. Again, last night, they were playing beautifully. I again, naively, let them carry on in the belief that they were really getting closer. Well, after a while I thought they needed some intervention.... OMG my house was like an episode of 'Horders'. How did they make SO much mess in such a short period?? Wipes, books, garbage bags etc everywhere... Is this the new price of having children who love each other? Why is turning the house upside down such a fantastic bonding experience?? Would I change anything? No.
bond eh? sounds more like conspiring to me :Z
ReplyDeleteLOL! Just walked into their bedroom and told them how proud I was of them playing beautifully together. Then they turned around... both with faces, legs and toenails covered in mascara! They thought they were beautiful and were very proud of themselves for looking "like you Mummy!!"
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