Time Out.

It happened. For the very first time. In the midst of temper-tantrums, "no's," and attitude problems, Brooke found herself in Time Out yesterday. Stacie and Anna were here to play and have lunch with us. All was well. Toys were scattered every-which-way, the girls had jumped in beds and giggled until their bellies hurt. Grilled cheese sammies were in their tummies and Brooke desperately wanted dessert. The deal: If Brooke finished all of her lunch, she could snack on a chocolate easter bunny treat. When she declared that she was NOT going to finish her lunch, I calmly reminded her that this meant she would NOT be enjoying this delicious chocolately delight. And then. It happened. She leaned against my leg and BIT ME. Hard. Discipline. Butt cheeks successfully FANNED. March to the bedroom. Quickly. "You'll stay here until you can say you're sorry to Mommy." I came back downstairs to think about what had just happened, and continue to play with Anna and 'Deed.' Brooke was purposely left out of the fun and play downstairs. After about 3 minutes of her pouting in her room (and afraid to come out, by the way) I went in her bedroom and shut the door behind me. She wouldn't even look at me. I asked her if she knew why Mommy had put her in her room. She said no. I walked back out and back downstairs. Repeat. 2-4 times, every 3-5 minutes. After about 15 minutes total, I returned to her room for the 4th time. Brooke was able to tell me that she DID know why she was stuck in her room. "Brooke bit Mommy," she said. We discussed how 'nice girls don't bite,' and how much it hurt Mommy when Brooke bit me. Then she said "I'm sorry Mom." We hugged and kissed and went back downstairs to play! As soon as she saw Deed and Anna she told them,"I'm ready to play again! I said 'sorry' to Mommy and we hugged and kissed!" Zig and I talked about how we wanted to handle these situations from here on out. I think that different strategies work for different kids - and frankly, since we DO spank as part of our discipline, time-outs haven't been necessary up to this point. There are times when we tell Brooke to 'walk away' before she REALLY gets into trouble, and she listens. But, with biting or hitting, there needs to be immediate punishment. IMMEDIATE. So that she knows exactly what the behavior was that was WRONG. At over 2-and-a-half, she is old enough to talk about right and wrong and what's nice or mean. So, we'll take advantage of her growing brain and teach her as best we can. Zig and I love our daughter to the ends of this earth, but we want her to be polite and respectful, even at 2! Putting her in Time Out was hard, but totally worth it. Thank you Lord for giving me patience and knowledge to get through that parental moment with my daughter...and thanks (in advance) for helping me through the next time...since I know it's bound to happen. :) So...What else is new with us? We truly are just enjoying every new day and experience with our baby girl! Brooke has been doing horribly at night time! Proof?? We have a permanent 'bed' on the floor for when Mommy and Daddy sleep there with Brooke every. single. night. It's actually sort of comfortable...to the point where Zig has volunteered to sleep with Brooke for the last few nights! No complaining on my part! We're starting to get excited about the spring/summer weather...even though it hasn't arrived yet! When the weather changes, we know we have lots of fun things planned! Poe Valley, Cousins Day, The Beach!!, Benezette, the zoo, maybe the aquarium, and hopefully more! Life is so much fun with a little one! On another note... Things with the new Mifflin County School District plan are getting crazy! All teachers have been displaced from their jobs and are awaiting job placements for next school year. I truthfully have no idea where I'll be teaching. I'm only about 70% sure that I'll even have a job and escape being furloughed, but so many things could happen between now and June - when jobs are named. I've requested to stay in the 6th grade Reading arena, but there's a very high chance that I'll end up back in "Elementary Land" because of my K-6 certification. Lots of stress and prayers and worries... Lots. Also in regards to the school changes, I've officially signed on as the Mifflin County High School Huskies Cheerleading Program. For a while, I'm just helping as a volunteer, which works out so well with my life as a young wife and mother. I'm flexible to help as much as I can...but if something comes up with Brooke or Zig's work schedule doesn't allow for me to be away, then I can opt out of whatever event is taking place! I've been meeting with the 3 other ladies on the coaching staff weekly, and I'm so thankful that they're involving me in all of the decisions for the future squads! This is a big deal in the world of cheerleading! So many decisions to make! New colors and mascots means new uniforms, new cheers, new band songs, new chants and lots of new dances. I'm so excited! I got my first look at the try-out material last week, and it was all I could do to NOT get up and learn it right away! Actually...I think I might start doing that today! Helping with the cheer program has been a goal of mine, and the newness of this new start-up squad has helped me to jump start that goal... Other goals? WEIGHT LOSS! And this morning, I became a WEIGHT WATCHER! I won't say too much about this goal now, but I have high-hopes for myself as a Mom! I owe it to Brooke to be the BEST ME I CAN BE! (Not to mention the fact that THIS BODY is NOT beach ready!) Lots of updates and pictures to come... Stay tuned!