Gianna is 1 year and 10 months old. I think we started giving her the rod 4 months ago when we saw that she would throw stuff when she was upset. That was our first rule — no throwing. Of course we know the difference between play and disobedience. We also taught her how to pray (she would clasp her hands and bow but look up ever so cutely!), to look us in the eye (though lately she has learned to look up and away to avoid my eyes haha), and say sorry (gentle stroke of the hand on the face of person she’s saying sorry to). These days, the rules include no dabog or tantrum, no screaming, no hitting. We also have to balance the Nos with Please Do This Insteads — please ask nicely, please obey, please speak calmly and softly, please be gentle.
After the rod, this is how our conversation goes.
Me: Gianna, what’s (insert offense – let’s say throwing)?
Gianna: (crickets, while she looks elsewhere, either on purpose or because she’s distracted)
Me: Gianna, look at mommy. (It takes a while sometimes, but she obeys)
Me: What’s throwing?
Gianna: No-no.
Me: It’s no-no. I gave you the rod because you threw your toys. Don’t do that again okay?
Gianna: Otay.
Me: What will you say to mommy?
Gianna: Tetoo. (Hahhahaah — she says thank you)
Then I tell her that she’s supposed to say sorry, and so she strokes my face wih her hand. I tell her I forgive her, then we pray. 🙂
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