In my efforts to keep a tidy home, I may have created a monster. All babies have whiney days, right? And all moms know the list of possible remedies to help the situation (change diaper, feed the child, give them something to drink, time for nap - a few of the "book" helpers). Carson has added one more to that list. One day several months ago, he was extremely fussy - just whining no matter what I did, if I held him, put him down, gave him milk, gave him a snack - nothing worked. So I started to kindly ignore his ranting and began to move about the room, picking up his toys and putting them away.
When I was done, I looked at him, and he had stopped whining. Just like that. I'm serious y'all. I thought it was just a fluke, but he next time he was inexplicably whiny, I cleaned the living room. Same results. A completely different child. When I mentioned this phenomenon to Paige, asking if all children act this way, she burst into laughter and told me that's what I get for cleaning so much! Then she implored me to try it again by messing up his play area to see if he fusses. And every time, same results.
Which brings us to today. I was just about to pull my hair out from the constant whines and cries that came from the sweetest little boy on earth, when I remembered...clean the living room! As I started to pick up his toys, he occupied himself with his stacking cups. As soon as all of his toys were put away, he quit fussing and just went to playing. How did this happen? Have I really created a "clean" monster? Or are all children this way? Thoughts. Go.
This is hilarious! Brooklee is definitely not like that, as she usually goes behind me messing up what I just put away - but maybe if I stared cleaning more she'd get the hint, too. Makes sense though - he gets use to it being neat and orderly so he's upset when its not that way.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried getting him to help put the toys/clothes/etc. away? Brooklee loves to "help" so I get her to help me put the clothes from the washer to the dryer, her toys from the laundry basket to her toy box or her books from the floor into their baskets. I even held her up yesterday to put her panties in the right drawer and handed her the pajamas to put in the bottom drawer. I keep thinking that if she sees how hard work it is to put all of the toys and books away she'll think twice about dragging them all out again, but so far she hasn't caught on. But she does enjoy helping.
hahah i have seen this from my boys but noticed that it is less of the fact that they DISlike the MESS and MORE of the fact that they don't know what to do with a mommy who is not sitting and playing with them OR cleaning. Thats all they know. THey don't know mommy-who-sits-and talks to daddy or mommy-who-checks her email or mommy-who-talks on the phone very well. i am usually busy with them, encouraging/correcting their behavior towards each other OR running around cleaning. All else is new territory. They are learning and dealing with it MUCH better now, plus before long he can be helping you clean (which my boys LOVE to do) i agree..if it really does seem to be the mess then encourage him to help you clean..which it sounds like he does already
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