10 things I Say Everyday

I often feel like a broken record as a mom.  

I feel like I say the same few things over and over and over and over. 

And then once more for good measure. I thought it would 

be fun to look at my most frequently used phrases.  

Check them out and let me know if you have any 

winners that help keep the peace with your two year old. 

1.) In five minutes we are going to... with Max, and I suppose all toddlers,
it's all about choices. I (think) he feels more in control of the
situation.  Ultimately, I always give him two choices in which I'm
okay with either outcome.

2.) Put your bottom in the chair...what is it with kids and not
wanting to sit and eat whatever meal you have so lovelingly
slaved over for them? He will take a bite and I swear his booty
slides closer to the edge, so that by the time he's on bite three
he's basically on the other side of the room.

3.) Please eat one more bit of...i know, I KNOW, i shouldn't
force him to eat the food on his plate.  But, I also don't want
him going to bed hungry or worse yet, want a snack at like
two AM. So...for now, I barter and beg and threaten.

4.) Use your words...gah! Max can talk. And like, A LOT.
But, he definitely gets in situations where I become
some sort of weird translator or I have to completely
guess at what he wants. No bueno.

5.) Sharing is caring... this is HUGE. One thing I've
found that works quite well is that when we arrive at a place
(like COSI or Chick Fil A play place) I lay out the rules.
And I mean business. I'm all "Keep your hands to yourself,
say please and thank you, and we will leave if I see anything
that is not kind". And, I think, for the most part, he gets it.

6.) Yes, you can keep your underwear and socks on... for
some weird reason, Max is very concerned in the morning about
keeping his underwear and socks (from the night before) on
when he gets dressed.  I have no clue where he gets this parnoia
from.  Like, does he think I will send him naked to school?

7.) I love you.  Obviously, I like to check in regularly for
hugs, kisses, and I love you's.  I think it's important for Max to
know that even though he frustrates the the crap out of me
and I raise my voice, that I really do love him so much.  Also,
he has started to "wipe off" my kisses and laugh about it.
So, I definitely need to get those in as much as possible
before he becomes to cool for kissing mommy. .

8.) Do you want ____ or ____ ?  Again with the choices.
But seriously, that's my life.  Do you want milk or water?
Do you want the blue cup or the red cup? It's maddening.

9.) How do you ask for that? We are definitely still drilling the
manners over here.  Max has mastered please when he's asking for
something he knows he shouldn't really get, but more often than
not, many of his requests have this follow up from me (or Rob).

10.) Daddy and I are so proud of you for... THIS IS HUGE.
I don't mind saying this at all.  I find that the more we
acknowledge something positive he's done, the more
likely he is to keep doing it. We are proud of you
for sharing your toys today at school  We are
proud of you for sitting in your seat through dinner.
We are proud of you for trying  a bite of....
you get the idea.

So, that's my life. Basically I'm a human timer (one more minute!)...
while also spewing choices galore. :)
xoxo