I love these boys. Look at them. They’re adorable. We’re having a great summer. We had a wonderful day in together in Chicago yesterday seeing the sites. But sometimes they make me crazy.
Recently a bunch of posts are popping up all over Pinterest about being “more present in your child’s day”, “tuning into” your children and “focusing on” your kids. And I’m sure you all remember the “Dear Mom and the iPhone” post.
You know, that’s all great. Of course I want to spend quality time with my kids. Of course I want to talk and play and laugh with them. Of course I want to teach them important life lessons.
But here’s the thing. That’s what I do. Every day. All. Day. Long.
Some days it seems like they’re attached to me. I go to the basement to do laundry, they follow me. If I go to the bathroom and lock the door, when I open it they’re camped outside it. I usually wake up with one of them in my face asking me a question like, “Do you remember when Lloyd did that thing on Ninjago? It was so cool!”
Sometimes I need do the dishes. Sometimes I need to make an important phone call. And sometimes I just need a break, because I can’t build one more Lego house or blanket fort, and I don’t want to get anybody a snack or look for the lost Wii remote for the umpteenth time. And if I don’t get just few minutes to myself I will not be able to be kind, pleasant and engaged for the rest of the day.
But it’s hard to get kids to go away and leave you alone. I guess it’s that whole bonded to you for life thing. I can’t be the only one with this problem. So if you can’t get your kids to go away here are some ideas you can try:
1. Shout, “It’s bedtime!” Doesn’t matter what time of day it is. They will scatter like leaves in an autumn breeze.
2. Make a batch of creamed spinach. Sit it next to where you’re working at the kitchen table. Threaten anyone who comes near you with a big bowl of it for lunch.
3. Play Hide-n-seek. They hide. You don’t seek. See how long they’ll stay hidden. This one will at least give you enough time to use the bathroom alone.
4. Yell, “Squirrel!” Point down the hallway. They’ll go looking for it.
5. Hide candy bars in their bedrooms. Tell them they have to clean their rooms to find the candy bars. I don’t know about you, but it would take my messy kids a long time to find that candy bar.
6. Say, “The next person who talks to me has to pick up ALL the Legos. Then dump the Legos out in the middle of the room. If nothing else the wild look in your eye will scare them away.
I admit I haven’t tested these yet — well, except for number thee — but I’m sure they will work.
Ah, yes! Exactly. Sometimes, you just need to peel them off your skin for a minute or two.
I’m so trying number 5, btw.
I have 4 boys ages 5, 11, 13 and 15 and can I say it NEVER gets better?? I was a single mom to my oldest three for over three years so we’ve always been very close. And I’ve been a sahm with my 5 year old since he was born. Sometimes you just need a breather without someone yelling, “Mom, mom, mom, mommy, mommy, mommy, mama, mama, mama.” #3 is practiced with the 5 year old and he hasn’t caught on yet. With my older ones, a simple, “If you don’t leave me alone for 15 minutes, you’re going to clean the bathrooms,” seems to be working. Of course there are also the nights when my husband is working late, I’m fried, I leave the 5 year old in the care of his brothers, and I go sit in Panera for an hour reading a book.
I love this and so needed it yesterday. i have a feeling i’ll need it again tomorrow.
#5 is G.E.N.I.U.S! That’s why I run. I always ask if they want to accompany me, but I NEVER have any takers… 🙂
What are your tips for a teething one year old with severe separation anxiety. I will certainly be trying the others on my 3 year old. I don’t know how many more times I can be asked to play with her dolls “Clip” and “Cowie” in an hour.
I so love #3! Definitely trying that one. It seems like they’re attached to me. My toddler has a nervous breakdown if I go to the bathroom and lock the door. Love the tips. 🙂
Oh my gosh, so true! When I was a stay at home mom and Brady was a toddler, it felt like I had another appendage! Your tips are SO funny and seem like they’d really work!
I love this so true and so funny! I just had this feeling a few days ago. I told my girls 11 & 6, “I need some alone time go in the bedroom and do something for at least 20 minutes!”.
It surprised me how cooperative they were! Probably thanks to my 11 year old hahaa.
Oh my gosh! I love it! #1 and #6 are my favorites. I’m sure they’d all work and I think I might have to do this one to get a moment’s peace.
Lol great suggestions! Love the hide and seek one, and that you have actually done it!
Unfortunately, most of those wouldn’t work on my kid 🙁 She is too smart for the hide and seek, she would totally eat spinach, and sadly…she would try to negotiate her way out of any of it! lol
Oh my goodness. This is so true and so funny. I just came back from spending a week with my daughter and son-in-law and their two children, 3 and 5 years old. I can so totally see my daughter trying some of these. Too funny.
Such great ideas! I love the candy bar to clean the room!
I must admit I’ve done #1 and #3 before. You’re right sometimes Momma just needs a breather. I’ve even gone to the bathroom just to exhale…but that doesn’t last long before you hear that little tap-tap on the door. Great post….I must definitely try #6…LOL
I have to admit that I have done #3, but I could totally see myself doing number #6. LOL
Mine was to offer them a quarter if they would just be quiet for 5 minutes. My boys are so talkative, they NEVER won the quarter! My youngest is 15 now and it’s still going on. I have threatened them with literal DEATH if they interrupt me on a conference call, and he still does it nearly every time. He just can’t wrap his head around the idea that I’m not 100% available to him 24 hours a day – sheesh!
Lol #3 won’t last long they will come out within seconds I gotta try number 1 and 6
My go to in the evening is to point out to my kids that if I see their face it’s a lot easier for me to notice when it’s bedtime. If I don’t see them, I’m a lot less likely to notice bedtime come and go. They always disappear and play quietly. Amazing.
I’m totally hiding candy bars in their rooms! Love it!!
You are a genius! Just linked here from Michelle at Dish of Daily Life’s FB post. I especially love #1. That is a sure winner!
Personally, number 3 was my favorite when my daughter was little! I had a great hiding place in the hall closet where I could read 2 whole pages of a book before she found me!!
I like #3
I think you should just look the child in the eye and say : ‘I’m busy. Go do something else.”
At least yours don’t know how to pick the lock… Yet! Hahaha…. sigh….