Wise parents

Does whining work?

Spring has sprung here in Shanghai. Winter clothing has been packed away and new spring/summer clothes line the closets. For our daughter Livia this is the first night a nightie is worn instead of long winter pajamas. This change is however not welcomed. Livia wants pants. Not because it is cold, but because she has worn pants for the last four months. "Why change now?" she protests.

As I write this, Livia is whining in her bedroom, "I want pants. I want pants." Like other children, she can repeat a sentence like this a hundred times or more until she finally falls asleep (Last night the 15 minute whine was about her having one less blanket).

So, as a parent what are our options as we sit here in our bedroom?
1.) Try put up with the whining for a few minutes but then rush into her bedroom and give her some pants.
2.) Go in and remind her that it is warm enough for no pants. "You won't be cold."
3.) Try to ignore it.

What is a pro and con of each choice?
1.) If we give her what she is whining about, we send the message: WHINING WORKS.
2.) If we remind her of the futility of her request: THE WHINING WILL MOST LIKELY BE EXTENDED. There is no benefit in reasoning with a whining child. No one, including adults, can think clearly and logically in an emotionally-charged situation.
3.) If we choose to ignore it we teach: BEGGING AND WHINING ARE NOT EFFECTIVE TOOLS.

Livia was sound asleep within 20 minutes. Writing this helped me ignore it.

Making it a great evening,

Wayne

Being a parent

iDad

Hurt or Heal

Image credit: docstoc.com

Quiet spray

Our hallways have been notoriously noisy (for years, I understand) when students change classrooms. This is my new "weapon of warfare" for the hallways. I will keep it on my desk. When I hear noise in the hallway, I could, if desired, walk out and spray as many students as possible (Don't worry, it won't be in the eyes or anything and it's only aqua). 

Who says being an school leader can't be a little fun?!

Sleepless in Shanghai

"What time does your child go to sleep?" This is becoming my new favorite question here in Shanghai. It is common place to hear children playing down at the playground at 9:00 p.m. and to run into young families around town with their small children out late at night. 

Image credit: thelowkeys.com

Tonight while waiting in line at an ATM, we started talking to a couple with a 3 or 4 year old boy who attends preschool from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00/6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. I asked whether he took a nap today at school. His mother sadly replied, "No, not today." A few questions later I asked the mother when their son goes to bed. "Well, because he didn't nap today, probably between 9:30 and 10:00."

WOW! This is completely foreign to us. Our daughter goes to bed at 7:00 p.m. when she HAS a nap and around 6:00 p.m. if she does not nap.

One thing we know is that when our daughter has enough sleep, she is a much happier child. And a happy child makes for happy parents. When she doesn't get enough sleep she is moody and fussy which normally results in some poor choices.

What are your thoughts on children and sleep?