Parenting Tip - Write it Down

Friday, January 25th, 2008 | Humour, Parenting, The boys recommend...

Husband and I agree on most aspects of child rearing - we believe there are much better and kinder disciplinary tools than smacking although we have both smacked the children on rare occasions; TV is while an excellent babysitter and child controller not a substitute for quality time spent with loved ones; the children are not allowed to speak to anyone (least of all us) with disrespect; after breakfast you MUST have a shower before you can play etc etc.

How we go about enforcing these various rules is a whole other story. You see, my children know that when I say, “no more chocolate” or, “that’s enough TV for today,” no amount of whinging, crying, tantruming is going to change my mind. We ALL however, know that if we push husband far enough he will eventually cave.

The children were doing their usual whinging for another episode of Kim Possible when in exasperation, husband began rummaging in the drawer for pen and paper. I was in the kitchen listening.

“Right! Here is what we are going to do. You guys are watching one more episode. ONE more. And then finished. You are going to write it down on this piece of paper - No more Kim Possible. Write it down, please Z. Then you are both going to sign it, please.”

Silence.

“Ok. So now this piece of paper says that you have agreed to only watch one more episode. So you are not allowed to whinge and cry for more, ok guys?”

After starting the show, he waltzed into the kitchen with a smug grin on his face, holding the piece of paper.

“There. I have it on paper. A contract! Now they can’t whinge.”

I collapsed into hysterics.

“They don’t have any grasp on the concept of a CONTRACT and that it’s legally binding. And besides, it isn’t even legally binding since they aren’t adults. So that means it’s their guardian’s responsibility - meaning YOURS!”

“Shush!”

I had to eat my words. The boys stayed true to their contract and didn’t ask for any more time in front of the television.

Husband 1/ Wife 0

7 Comments to Parenting Tip - Write it Down

Farhad
January 25, 2008

I am going to print out a few forms for them to fill out:

Form 1a: Kim Possible Request
Form 1b: Kim Possible Repeat Episode Request
Form 2a: Multiple Episode Request (to be used with Form 1a)
[Use the above as templates for The Batman and Mythbusters]

I will tie them up with SOOO much paperwork that they won’t have time to watch any other the episodes when approval is finally granted.

Tasmiya
January 25, 2008

Looks like *somebody* works for government.

Mousehunter
January 25, 2008

WOO HOO Hubby!!! I love it! hahaha. Writing down and signing…kids respond to stuff they write down. Its like a permission form from school. Its semi official. I don’t think I can try that. I know V2 will write and sign, and when its time to commit I’ll show him what he signed, and he’ll vehemently deny that he wrote it…haha, “Noooooo, I didn’t write that!”