Kids.....

I love my kids -- truly I do. After writing this I think what kind of mom needs to validate that she loves her kids.... well after yesterday I think I am that kind of mom. A lot of what I am going to write is brought on by myself. I started the reward process for behaving in public so now (until I figure out how to change it) will have to suffer it consequences.

Yesterday was school shopping day! We headed to the mall to buy new tennis shoes, school supplies and a new bike for Colleen. Usually when we get to the shoe store there is a long wait and the kids get very antsy. I told them if they behaved I would give them each a quarter to buy a gumball. They complied! The next stop was Target for school supplies. We used the cart that the kids can ride in - - that way two could ride and one could walk. Daniel decided to stand the whole time we were moving and when we stopped he tried to stand on the cart. Many times he was told that he need to sit in the cart or walk. He said he would sit if he got something. Well that got him told that he would have to walk around the store since he could not sit. He then 'cried' that i will sit --- promise. This lasted two stops. After Target, we went to TRU to buy the bike. He did well there - no asking for treats/toys/etc. On the way home is when the dam broke! We stopped at Kroger's -- i knew this would be tough. I promised they could play the Wii before bed if we all behaved. Daniel & Colleen decided that it would be fun to act up. They both punched an end of aisle display. I had them fix it but they fixed and punched again. I told them to stop and Miss C stopped. D on the other hand kept it up. He ran up and down the ice cream aisle (to avoid his sister - so he said) while I looked for soy milk (they go rid of our brand) that they would drink. At that point I grabbed Daniel and told him that he must hold onto the cart until I tell him otherwise....

Once we leave the store a new rule is instituted at the Altomari home (at least until I can think of a better approach) --- if you act up at the store, any store the new consequence is you get to go to your room. You are allowed out for the following: meals, potty, and getting ready for bedtime. No matter what time of day or night. Hopefully this helps.

UPDATE 8/5 -- Tony took kids shopping and to the library today. He is sick so Bless him! And the kids behaved. He called to tell me someone took our kids and replaced them with these children. Don't know what he did or said to keep them in line I am glad that they behaved. I LOVE MY KIDS!!!!