Ok so on to the real fun.... So Jonah speaks a little bit of English and a lot of Luganda. So I expected that it would be quite the challenge trying to communicate and so far I was about half right. I see the struggle the most when he is throwing one of those terrible two's temper tantrums (I will just call it the 4T's) and I cannot seem to do much as far as explaining to him why it's not ok to see how much pee he can get all over the seat and floor as he wiggles uncontrollably while trying to use the toilet. What makes matters worse is when there is a Ugandan "Mama" around to explain things to him or to instruct him, he understands quite well and more often than not the 4T's are avoided all together so I know that it is possible, I just don't have the words to make it happen myself! Good news is he has already begun to recognise me as the Mommy who tops all Mommies in his little world and seeks Josh and I above everyone else (which brings me a great deal of selfish joy). Does anyone have any suggestions as far as how to implement consistent, loving discipline? We definitely try to use consistent words when explaining things to him so that he begins to understand and associate those words with our actions as well as his own. That seems to be my greatest challenge right now, dealing with the 4T's when he doesn't like something or doesn't get his way. It seems pretty average to me but I haven't ever been the one in charge of discipline before. I have been told that sign language can be very helpful but I don't know very many words or phrases in sign language and doubt that the book store (or should I say 4x4 stand with some shelves inside) up the road would have sign language for dummies/mommies.
Let me know if anyone has any suggestions..... Thanks again for reading and responding.
Tiff, here are a few websites that might help. It can be frustrating going through the terrible twos even when you can communicate well with your child. Hopefully something in one of these sites will help. We're praying for you all. The key to disciplining your child is consistence. If they are doing something wrong, consistently discipline them for it. Don't discipline them one time and then let it slide the next time. Children will also play their parents, if he can get away with something with one of them and not the other, he will always go to that parent, and try to pit you against each other. So be consistent with both of you on the same thing, always be on the same page with each other, it helps alot and avoids a lot of discipline arguments with each other. You both will need to discipline him the same for each thing he does wrong. Not saying that you have to do the same thing for every wrong thing he does, but the same discipline for the same thing each time. Something else might work for something else he is doing wrong. Dose that make sense? I hope so. Thank you for the updates, I am loving them.... Take care sweetie. I love you both.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cyberparent.com/spoiled/
http://www.helium.com/items/580898-teaching-your-child-to-use-sign-language
http://www.inspire.com/groups/pregnancy-and-parenting/discussion/how-to-discipline-a-1-7-yr-old-boy-who-screams-instead-of-talking/
http://hubpages.com/hub/Tame-The-Terrible-Twos-Teach-Your-Child-Sign-Language
Hi Tiffney!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for you and Josh.... :)
Try this site.... I'm sure there are others too, but you can find the word you want quickly and see a good demonstration of it.
http://www.mybabycantalk.com/content/dictionary/dictionaryofsigns.aspx?letter=A
We did a lot of signing with Simon because he was so difficult to understand... It was very helpful and although I have no experience with what you're going through, I would think it is somewhat similar.
Good luck!
Johanna