Getting Back to Normal

We have officially entered Christmas Overload Meltdown stage.

Too much candy, no routines, not getting home till 11 pm for too many days left them exhausted, whiny, emotional, and fighting. Oh, the fighting. We have managed to accumulate three black eyes in less than 24 hours. I am thankful that they did not do this before Christmas. However, it is going to be interesting to take my kids into town today to do returns, knowing they look beaten. Especially since both Grant's eyes had been blackened by bouncing off Ben's head.

Yesterday, Grant wanted to ride Emma's new scooter. When I told him to put it down, he did. And then he kicked it. To the naughty spot he went.

After the appropriate amount of time, I went and talked to him about this new hitting/kicking/pushing behavior he has been exhibiting lately.

"Grant, why did you kick sissy's scooter?"

"I kick sissy's scooter with my foot."

"Yes, buddy, but why did you feel like you needed to do that?"

"Aaaahhhhh... I kick... the scooter."

"OK, were you feeling mad?"

"No, not mad!"

"Were you angry?"

"No, I not angry."

"Well, buddy, we have to figure out why you are doing this so you can learn to stop. What can we do so you won't kick sissy's scooter anymore?"

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. A big grin spread across his face, and he answered, "I kick my own scooter!"

I stifled a laugh. "Grant, you don't have a scooter."

"I get my own scooter, and I kick it, and I not kick sissy's anymore!" He looked at me expectantly. He was so glad he figured out a solution, and he was so very proud of his problem solving skills.

We'll keep working on it.