I don't think that I wrote about this on here, but I made a deal with Dermot months ago that if he was able to stay dry throughout the night for 14 days, he would get a big toy. Dermot was potty trained about a year ago, but he still wears a pull-up every night. Until recently, he has been wet every single morning. Once in a blue moon he would wake up dry, but not very often. I thought that buying Dermot a big treat would help motivate him. He saw me buy the Lego Star Destroyer months ago. It's been down in our basement since then, and we mention it regularly. Well finally, Dermot has hit day 12. I hope that I am not jinxing him. He made it to day five and then he had 2 wet days and the clock started over. At day 7, I bought Dermot a half-way there gift, because it really was a big deal for him. So I went to TRU and bought him a Spider-man figure. I am so excited for him. I think that sleeping in underwear is going to be a big thing for him. Although, all he talks about is the star destroyer. I think that he gets the milestone he's about to hit.
To prepare for the accidents that will inevitably come, we went to Target this weekend. Dermot's bed is pretty waterproof, but ours needed some help. Dermot still crawls into our bed almost every night, so there's not reason to deny the fact that our bed needs to be bedwetter proof too. Also, it was time for some new sheets and a new bed spread. I get bored really easily with these things. I bought a new blue striped comforter and matching sheets as well as solid blue sheets. I also bought a new waterproof mattress pad. To further get ready, I decided to buy Dermot some more pajamas. I don't want him to run out in the middle of the week. Ethan and I are nervous every single morning until we know that the stars are still there.
In other news, we're having another daycare hub bub. This one made Dermot feel bad so Ethan went on the attack. Here's some back ground. We send Dermot's food every day, and we were under the impression that he could eat or not eat whatever he wanted. One day Dermot asked for a "field trip" lunch. This just means a sandwich, chips, fruit, and some cookies. This day, Dermot ate his oreos like he always does. He took them apart and only ate the creamy filling. He really hates chocolate. Apparently one of the teachers told Dermot that he couldn't have his soy milk to drink until he ate some of the cookie. We wouldn't have known except that when Dermot got home, he told Ethan that he didn't want us to send cookies to daycare any more because they got him trouble. Poor kid. So we had to tell the daycare that Dermot is allowed to be in charge of his food intake. In fact, it's against the daycare's policy to use food as a reinforcer or punishment. Based on current science, this is exactly the way to go. I feel that they were withholding food as a punishment for not eating all of his lunch, which is ridiculous. Sometimes I don't know what decade these teachers are from, and this is a teacher who is younger than I am. Sometimes it's like it's more important that the children follow their teachers' commands blindly than that the children actually matter. Dermot actually said that he had to do what the teacher said because "she's the boss". Sigh. So sad to me. He does need to learn to follow directions, but he also has the right to speak up when something is wrong. He's smart, he's passionate about certain things, and he can see through things. I think that needs to be respected. Not all 4-5 year olds are "just kids" in the sense that they don't understand anything. I really don't think that know just how much these kids know. I think the teachers were shocked that Dermot actually came home and talked about it. If they even tell us that he made up the story, so help me. It will not be pretty. When Dermot is confused about something, he leaves out details. I can tell when he's not remembering something versus when he's really concerned about an incident that really did happen.
So apparently, the staff are meeting about the situation on Wednesday, and then we're supposed to have a family meeting about it. I really hate those. The director goes into defensive mode, doesn't listen, and then condescends to us just to top it all off. I just hope she takes this seriously. Sometimes I feel like we're stuck at this place just because it's affiliated with Ethan's work, and that the director is counting on that. There's not really anyone above to complain to.
3 comments:
I'm glad he's excited about the dry nights. that was a challenge for trent too. it's harder for boys, they say, for some reason. trent used to fidget alot when he had to go, and since he was sleeping with me, I was able to take him to the bathroom in the middle of the night before an accident had time to happen. if he crawls in bed with you, I wonder if you can teach him that while he's up, he ought to try to pee. I think the deal is that the bladder isn't big enough to hold it all night. or something. anyways, congrats!!
re: daycare. that's just insane. I hate when you have issues with daycare and they are annoyed. people, this is your job, I can't just dismiss people who ask me things because I don't feel like dealing with it. it's your job as a parent to bring it up and you PAY them to deal with it, so deal with it!! sheesh.
Wow on the 14 days! I bet he is proud of himself...because he is the best!
That daycare sit. is ridiculous. Using food to demonstrate control? I would never dream of saying something like that to a student! And of all things, a cookie! Not even a carrot, not that it would have made it better, but making a child finish a cookie! Maybe thats the problem, the teacher is younger and perhaps inexperienced. I reallly believe that the younger and healthier children are the better their instincts are about food. If I have any concerns about my students' food I speak to the parents. A Cookie! For heaven's sake!
Let me know how it goes with the meeting.
They tried to make him eat a cookie. That seems bizarre. How did the meeting go?
Post a Comment