jaylar
Gabi’s usual performance, when she didn’t get what she wanted, was a hysterical ‘no body loves me’ diatribe followed by a screeching demand to live with Daddy.
A parent knows their child. Can read a child like a book. When one has an obvious brat like Gabi, it’s too easy. Every parent knows, for a brat it is NOT just getting her own way, it is doing the Opposite of what you want.
To underline, the Brat must ‘force’ the parent to do it her way.
As I wanted her to live with her father I made it seem I wanted her to be with me. As it was nearing the summer vacation, I found a trivial subject to provoke an argument. I put fuel in the fire until she shouted that she hated living with me and wanted to be with her Daddy.
I responded by shouting that her Daddy didn’t want her, which would make her shout he did.
This opened the door for me to say:
“You call him! If he says yes..You GO!”
I knew Daniel would say yes. I got a sulky expression on my face when turning from the telephone Gabi beamed;
“Daddy Wants ME!”
I held myself from doing my happy dance all over the living room.
but now i have to wonder, was that the right thing?
If you have a child who always wants the anti to your pro then you have to anti your pro. With my kids I would listen and if I said No I never came off it. I didn’t it say often. My daughter had a friend and I could see that as far as the ‘friend’ was concerned, my daughter was a fill gap. I didn’t say anything.
At that ‘friends’ birthday party, with my daughter right in front of her, she picked someone else to cut the cake. The look on my child’s face was extremely painful. Subsequently I was able to tell her that the girl was not her friend.
After that … well… define listen to mommy
i always tell my kids parents are not friends. until you move out of my house!
Was always mommy not pal. But always a sensible mommy
well can be pal, once the child is out on their own/ Then they can choose to be friends not just a child!
I am happy to see you here writing.
Thank you. I keep trying, soon go down with the Titanic