The best-laid plans

After a shouting match yesterday morning at getting-dressed-and-out-the-door time, I decided to try a different approach today. I decided that we would make sure R was dressed at least an hour before she had to leave the house.

This was achieved by refusing to play doctors, shops or anything with her until she was dressed. I told she could play on her own in her pyjamas, but that I wouldn’t join in, unless she was dressed. She played by herself for about 5 minutes and then came over to me, asking ‘Do you want to play Doctors?’. When I said ‘No, not until you’re dressed,’ she said, ‘OK.’ and got dressed. Wow! I was so pleased and proud of both of us. No shouting, no tears, no door slamming. Hoorah.

Half an hour later, she had an accident and her trousers, tights and knickers had to come off. Would she put a fresh lot on? Nope. She spent the next 15 minutes playing on her own with nothing on her lower half, refusing every time I suggested she get dressed. Grr!

But… I still managed to avoid shouting. She stopped playing and went and sat at the table to finish her breakfast (about 10 minutes before we had to leave). So, I brought the clothes through and said ‘Why don’t we see if I can manage to put your clothes on you, while you eat your breakfast. Do you think I can manage it?’ She was game for the challenge and we did manage it without either of us getting cross.

But can I manage it all the time? Do I have enough imagination to come up with a new game or challenge every time she starts being contrary? We shall see.

Oh, yes, and I was so excited that I was jumping about saying ‘Don’t you have an ingenious mum? Isn’t Mummy ingenius?’ and she turned to me, put her head to one side and said ‘Yes, Mummy. You are a genius.’ Now, if only everyone else would concur!