babee tales

Sunday, 1 August 2010

Haven't been sleeping great recently, so what is one to do when one is wide awake at 4:30am in the morning? Watch cable, haha! And there is much to learn from cable TV.

My 2 favourite shows running at those wee hours of the morning, are Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and Take Home Nanny. Ok, ok, so they aren't the most inspiring or educational shows, but hey it keeps me entertained.

Diners. Drive-ins and Dives features a guy who goes around America searching for interesting and unique food, from pubs, to drive-ins to diners, just about anywhere. Luckily though, watching him devour chunks of tantalising steak, hamburgers and seafood doesn't make me fat, since I'm not big on this kind of food, anyway. Phew!

As for Take Home Nanny, it's about how a professional nanny advises troubled families on how to tame the naughty behaviour of their children. While I realise this is a reality show, some of the tips from the show is quite good, especially since I have been feeling increasingly frustrated with my baby boy as he enters the Terrible Twos.

Some tips to share:
1. Parents to keep calm and talk to the children in a calm and level voice. Sometimes when the kids behave badly, you are so ready to scream and yell at them, but control your emotions.

2. Consistency - When reinforcing a rule or behaviour, consistency is key. If the children realise they can get away with whining and crying, they will.

3. Choices - Sometimes, children want to feel in control. It's perfectly normal behaviour. One option is provide them with limited choices e.g what to wear. Instead of opening the whole wardrobe to them, give them a choice of this or that. They get to assert control within limits.

4. Never let children get away with bad manners. You need to reinforce the idea that as parents, they need to respect you and will and should not get away with rude remarks or hitting.

5. For older kids, it is good to set up a "work-station" for them, a small quiet area where they can have their own space to do homework or light reading.

I guess, that's all I can remember for now, so long, till the next episode, if I happen to wake up early again.