Punishment

We gave Lucas a taste of punishment and surprisingly he understands the concept very well. He is always grouchy if we wake him up from his afternoon nap. He has to wakes up at his own terms. We have been tolerating and thought he will get over it. But on Sunday, he was impossible. It was past 6pm and I woke him up. He was in such foul mood and even turn aggressive. First, he said he did not like my shirt (shirt I have been wearing even before he was born) and asked me to change. I was busy feeding Chloe dinner and asked him not to disturb me. Then he goes on and on for 10 mins about my shirt. Even tried to push me to my room to change. My temper is rising. After Chloe finished her dinner, I asked if he wants to go to the playground or go cycling. He said no. Fine. I took Chloe to the garden and he started wailing asking me to go inside the house. Somehow, we managed to calm him down. He said then he wanted to go for a drive. Great, we were planning to drive out to buy dinner. In the car, he said he wanted milk. We told him no. It's dinner time and he can have his milk after dinner. He made such a big fuss. He refused to eat his dinner and still insist that he wants milk. That's it. We had enough of his temper.

We gave him his bath and told him he has to go to sleep hungry. No milk, no reading and we will not accompany him to sleep. After his bath, he has to stay in his room. To our surprise, he did not protest at all! No crying and obediently followed our instruction. Stayed in his own room with the door closed until he falls asleep at 10pm+.

On Monday, he was great. He apologised. He said 'Mommy, I'm sorry. I have been naughty'.

On Tuesday, he did it again. This time, he wanted milk and not dinner. So, we gave him the same punishment. He followed obediently. No protest, no crying.

This morning, he apologised again. He said 'Mommy, I'm sorry. I have been naughty. I will be a good boy on 10 (today's date)'. And he is.

Guess parenting does not get easier with older kids!