A Gamble with Electronic Time

One Saturday morning I was reading a Parenting magazine, of course everyone else was already up moving around.  NOT me, this is my morning's to laze in bed reading, relaxing and savoring a bit of me time before jumping into the weekend.  As I'm listening to the blaring TV, knowing my son has yet to make his bed, eat breakfast, change etc... I came across a great idea on getting our arms around His excessive TV, tablet, overall electronic time: Poker chips!!

How appropriate, it's always a gamble when introducing some control over what our child(ren) are exposed to, setting boundaries, and teaching responsibility.  And when playing poker, we always hope to see get a good starter hand, but know damn well it's a far cry from being that easy on the first deal.

And of course that's how it went.  As I got out of bed around 10am, walked down the hallway, I see his room is far from clean, and he's sitting watching a favorite show on Netflix.  I grab the remotes and shut everything off.  Ok, so I'm not the best at presentation, and easing into things, as I get screamed at in the process, and roll right into asking if he washed up, ate breakfast, made his bed.

Then I bring out the "We are making some changes to your TV & Tablet time", and start to explain my idea.  Well before I can get three words out it turns into a screaming match: "If I can't have electronic time, they you can't either.  How would you like it if I took away YOUR Kindle, phone or TV?"  Following on our poker theme, my 'Maniac' then stormed off into his room, screaming and crying, complete tantrum.

Time to 'ante, up.  I catch my husband in the kitchen and go over my new plan, which he's completely on board with (for now...).  He goes downstairs to bring out the poker chips.  So I'm almost ready to 'raise', but not yet, I need a shower.  Which I know will give my Son time to cool off.

Ready to up the stakes.  Hubby and I brainstorm a list of things he should be helping with around the house and designate minutes.  Examples: Dishes count for 30 minutes, Cleaning your entire room equals 1 Hour, feeding the dog, 15mins, etc...

Now for the 'Showdown'.  O is wrapped up in his blankets on the bed, his usual spot when he's struggling with emotions.  I start out a bit slower this time with my deal, and have him come out to discuss as a family.  We layout why the change: being we've coddled him for so long by not giving him chores and responsibility, mostly my husband who has no patience, so does it himself even when it comes to putting on and tying our 9 year olds shoes!  You don't want me to go there.

So now we update the list with ideas of his own, and give him a jar to keep his minute chips in.

4 Ways to Harness Your Power for Good in Your Husband's Life

4 Ways to Harness Your Power for Good in Your Husband's Life: God has given us women the privilege and the ability to bring life to our husbands with our love.

Long, overdue update... 2014!

This is from Christmas.  Owen is now in 1st grade, loves to sing and dance.  Always needing to be the center of attention, which we are guilty of indulging to it.  Hope all is well with everyone.

Take Care, from the Downing's

February Fun & Frosty!

Just sent in our last home update for Owen. One more at the Agency, and our requirements will be fulfilled! Can't wait!

We had our second parent-teacher conference and Owen is doing exceptionally well. The teacher was amazed at how well his rhyming was, and how much of a little helper and leader his is. He even charmed them for Valentine's Day, bringing each teacher a rose and asking them like a typical bachelor "Will you accept this Rose?" Their hearts just melted. I've got quit the Casanova on my hands.

A New Year of Fun with Owen

Owen is becoming his own person day after day. How do I keep him from growing up so quickly? Even with the terrifying three's, he still manages to keep shining and sharing his beautiful spirit with all he comes in contact with.

Christmas was a time to spoil and teach. Included in his gifts were a smart device (to be like mama on her computer all the time), a crane to show and teach him what his grandpa used to work on to keep him always a rememberance in our lives, play-doh and games to keep us close and working together, a Hotwheel Criss-Cross-Crash to remind us how much of a boy he really is, a drum set to keep music in our lives always. And he takes his turn on all of them surprisingly still.

Tough times when he has to adapt to daycare for 2-3 months, and now with the issues we are having there change back to being home with Dad now going back on 2nd shift. Why can this economy not let me be a stay at home Mom?