Friday, October 17, 2008

Oops...too late.

I'm horrible about getting frustrated with my kids and threatening them with a consequence that I know is too severe. For example: I received a note home from Jacob's teacher that he was "play fighting" at recess and continued to do it after being asked not too. We had an incident the previous week (nothing big...kindergarten stuff) so I was pretty aggravated to receive the note. So after talking with him (calmly) I told him that if I received another note home, that he wouldn't be going trick or treating this year. Now what kind of mother is actually going to keep their 6 year old home on Halloween because he was play fighting at school. It was one of those times where it slipped out and I instantly regretted it. I was telling Jacob's teacher yesterday what I had threatened jacob with and she responded "You said WHAT?" Just reaffirming the horrible parent feeling I was having. I hope i'm not the only one who does this...So I want to hear your stories (if you have any) What is the worst "punishment" you threated your child with, and instantly regretted.....
Or you could just threaten your child with this punishment...

6 comments:

Amanda Davis said...

I have done this so many times I don't think I could tell you all of them! I have threatened to go to the zoo with the rest of the family and get a baby sitter for the one who didn't clean their room (only I secretly wished they wouldn't just to prove that I would do it! THAT IS AWEFUL!) I have a friend who actually did it and the next time they were doing the same deal to go to the Enchanted Forest and the kid who got left behind was one of the first ready! It can be scarry to make threats like that but sometimes they work (as long as you are willing to follow through!) I threaten to sell toys, and pets, on craigs list, ebay, or just throw them away if I have to pick them up, or clean up after them again! I can't wait to see what other people post though.

Jonna T. said...

Last year, one morning, Chloe was whining non-stop, I told her to stop, or I would make her walk to school (which is not far, but she is not allowed to do it.) she kept whining, so, I told her to get out of the car (I was warming it up) She looked at me, dumbstruck, and I firmly repeated, "get out of the car, I am leaving you here" So, she got out of the car, and I drove off. Really, I just went around the little block, I never would have truly left her. As I came around the corner, I could see her walking to school. I pulled over, and she looked at me like I was crazy. She couldn't believe I would just leave her there. Like I would. I picked her up and drove her to school. She takes me a little more seriously now.

Jonna T. said...

This isn't really along the threatning lines, but more along the lines of, what was I thinking.
Last year Chloe told us she wanted a Nintendo DS soooooo badly. I told her if she could clean up her room 100% and keep it that way until her birthday, which was about eight months away, we would buy her one. What was I thinking? Really, is it physically possible for an eight year old to keep their room spit-shined spotless? There may be something wrong with a child that does that. I just thought it was stupid of me to make that sort of deal with an eight year old. I can't even keep my own room clean. That would be like Craig promising me a new car if I kept the house spotless and the laundry kept up for a full year. Craziness.

Becca said...

Marty constantly threatens to take away my kids' birthdays. It is basically a funny joke where the kids know they aren't really in any trouble!

EdgyK said...

I threaten to make them kiss. Cor thinks it's funny and tries to kiss the girls any way.

We are getting a kitty this week and DH thinks I should threaten them that we won't get the kitty if they don't listen.

I did tell Mya that if she doesn't pick up the food and small items off her floor the kitty will eat them and get sick or die. I don't know if that's true but it sounded good.

EdgyK said...

Oh I do threaten them if they guess their birthday or Christmas presents I will take them back. I've only done it once to my husband.