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Happy Birthday Zoe!

This weekend Zoe celebrated her 2nd birthday, complete with a homemade chocolate cake decorated with a giant red googly-eyed creature intended to look like Elmo. And that makes it official. I’m no longer in control. I am now the mother of two-count ‘em- two 2 year-olds. And while I may be older, I’m most definitely not the one in charge. In between being told not to sing along with them (Quiet Mommy Stop!) and that I’m not allowed to sit on the left end of the sofa (Leave it Mommy, Leave it!), they continue to touch, explore, break, snap, sneak, and bite everything. And each other. And that leads me to my current problem: “The Naughty Spot.”

Might just as well have named it “The Most Awesome Place Ever.” Because that’s what Zoe and Eva think of my attempts at discipline.

I blame Supernanny. She said we were supposed to remove them from the scene and put them in a designated place for a time out. 2 minutes for 2 year olds. Okay, sounds simple. I even bought a new timer and put it on the fridge, right above the corner in the kitchen that is away from the TV and their toys. And when the timer goes off, you get down at their level, explain why they were in the naughty spot, demand an apology and give a hug and a kiss and make up.

Foolproof, right? Harumph.

Eva loves nothing better than 2 minutes by herself without Zoe bothering her. The other day she even found a Brussel sprout on the floor and was very content to peel back layer and layer until the timer went off.

And Zoe has actually taken to biting me and then screaming, “Corner!” and running happily into the kitchen. Apparently she enjoys the ritual of the hug and kiss at the end.

This was not how it was supposed to go.

So I’ve switched television gurus. Forget Nanny Jo. I’m back to Dr. Phil. He said to find my child’s “currency,” whether that is a certain toy, TV, money or blueberries.
I’m still trying to figure out what works best. With Eva it seems to be threatening to take away either her Wubbie or the 2 pence coin that she carries around. And Zoe has developed an unusual affection for a plastic soup ladle that now sleeps in her bed, so I’ve got that on my list.

I’ll let you know how it goes, figuring out what they value the most at that moment.

In between bouts of telling at them to “get out of the corner,” that is.

Dr. Lara Zibners, Jan 24, 2012

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