Whenever I go through hard times with my two sons, I know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I know that whenever they yell at me, talk back to me, ask me the same question over and over again, and don't listen to me, it does get better.
When they fight with each other, I know that they will give each other a hug afterward. Sometimes, Blake will ask his older brother Ben to play with him.
Even though Blake fights me on taking a nap and putting him in his car seat, I know that he will calm down shortly afterward.
I know that it does get better when Ben and Blake chase the cat, grab at him, and lay on him. I see how loving Ben and Blake can be to Gandalf P. Cat when they want to be. I see how Blake can pet the kitty and smile afterward.
When I read to Ben and Blake and they are fully captivated to what is in the book, that makes me happy.
When Ben and Blake are out playing on the playground or at a McDonald's indoor play place and they are smiling, it is better than taking then to the finest theme park in the world. When I see them eating their chicken nuggets at the Chick Fil A and smiling afterward, it is better than me eating a gourmet meal at one of the finest restaurants in the world.
When Ben and Blake are watching their tablets or the TV, they're relaxed and things are better already. They're quiet too.
No wait! The best part of being a daddy: When they say "I love you Daddy."
Thursday, August 23, 2018
The power of bribes
Yesterday, I felt like I was in control of a few situations at home yesterday.
I was able to convince Blake to be read to before I gave him the tablet. Blake loves to watch PacMan videos on YouTube. He also likes Peppa Big, Mario, Donkey Kong, and Team Umizoomi. Blake has been good in sticking with the clean family fun videos. I forgot to mention that Blake likes to watch funny kitty cat videos too.
Starting yesterday, I'm not just going to give away the tablet to Blake just because he asks for it. Even if he says please, I'm going to make him earn it. Part of it too is that I worry the tablet will rot Blake's brain from excessive watching. I remember when people told me that watching TV all day will rot my brain. For now, I think my brain is good.
A second instance where I said 'NO' and sort of bribed my older son Ben at the same time came yesterday afternoon. My dear Ben; he saw a pink lollipop in the pantry. He wanted and I said no. He asked for it again and I said 'not right now.' I also told him that he could have it after dinner.
Ben and Blake tried a breadless, crustless pizza for dinner last night. I was concerned that they would like it or they wouldn't eat it. They would probably like it if they gave it a chance.
Sure enough, we all liked it. Ben (LEFT) loved it so much, he went on to have seconds for it. Needless to day he earned his pink lollipop. Blake (MIDDLE) ate some of it. I told him that if he took two more bites, he would get a chocolate lollipop. He did. I (RIGHT) loved it and that it made me too full for dessert.
Blake's ability to try his dinner was my third attempt at bribery of the day, and it worked. Bribes work. Bribe can be a bad word; reward is a better word. I want to give my boys 'rewards' for a job well done and when they do what I ask them to do.
I will continue to issue 'bribes' for good deeds by Ben and Blake.
I was able to convince Blake to be read to before I gave him the tablet. Blake loves to watch PacMan videos on YouTube. He also likes Peppa Big, Mario, Donkey Kong, and Team Umizoomi. Blake has been good in sticking with the clean family fun videos. I forgot to mention that Blake likes to watch funny kitty cat videos too.
Starting yesterday, I'm not just going to give away the tablet to Blake just because he asks for it. Even if he says please, I'm going to make him earn it. Part of it too is that I worry the tablet will rot Blake's brain from excessive watching. I remember when people told me that watching TV all day will rot my brain. For now, I think my brain is good.
A second instance where I said 'NO' and sort of bribed my older son Ben at the same time came yesterday afternoon. My dear Ben; he saw a pink lollipop in the pantry. He wanted and I said no. He asked for it again and I said 'not right now.' I also told him that he could have it after dinner.
Ben and Blake tried a breadless, crustless pizza for dinner last night. I was concerned that they would like it or they wouldn't eat it. They would probably like it if they gave it a chance.
Sure enough, we all liked it. Ben (LEFT) loved it so much, he went on to have seconds for it. Needless to day he earned his pink lollipop. Blake (MIDDLE) ate some of it. I told him that if he took two more bites, he would get a chocolate lollipop. He did. I (RIGHT) loved it and that it made me too full for dessert.
Blake's ability to try his dinner was my third attempt at bribery of the day, and it worked. Bribes work. Bribe can be a bad word; reward is a better word. I want to give my boys 'rewards' for a job well done and when they do what I ask them to do.
I will continue to issue 'bribes' for good deeds by Ben and Blake.
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