In which I start a bunch of thoughts and take them nowhere

At Parenting today (sometime today, I never know when they're going to post stuff) I'm writing about my demanding and disdainful daughter, although I regret writing it because yesterday she was an ANGEL. A cute laughy adorable ANGEL. I swear to you: whatever you write on the internet, the opposite shall be true the next day. Unless, of course, you are writing about how your kid never sleeps through the night. That one's not gonna work.

Other items of dubious interest:

I will tell you the name of the Wii game on Friday. Must save something for 7QT.

Yesterday's post was the kind of thing you could melt down into one very simple very boring sentence, and there I was again, Making A Big Deal. But thanks for the kind comments anyway.

I can't decide what to do for my birthday. I need a girl's night (actually, afternoon) out idea that is not one of the following, for various convoluted reasons: pedicures, movies, dinner (eating anything more than a snack is out since I'll be going to dinner afterwards), painting or otherwise decorating any kind of ceramic item especially at a store designed for that purpose because NO, hiking, wine tasting or sitting around a living room. This leaves, as far as I can tell, Shopping. That could work. If the weather's hot I'm thinking it might be nice to put on my new bathing suit and enjoy the beach without having to bark at a certain someone to stop throwing sand. Dilemmas dilemmas.

Jack asked for goldfish crackers for breakfast. I think this is an improvement over his usual request, which is cake.

He just now pulled a measuring cup out of the drawer, pointed to it and announced, several times, because it took that long for me to understand: "I WAN COOKIES IN DER."

Remind me I want to write a Vaguely Annoyed post about Disciplining Your Toddler, Real or Imagined Expectations Of How To. Guess whose kid isn't impressed or otherwise affected by a Firmly Delivered No! (AND WHY IS THIS SHOCKING TO SO MANY PEOPLE I KNOW?)

Also: how old is too old to have a pacifier (at night, for sleeping only)?

Comments

[Elizabeth]

I think 27. Yep, for certain. 28 is too old, but until then, you're good to go.

[Christiana]

5, maybe? I'd aim for lower, but I don't think you need to push it yet if that's the underlying question. :)

On discipline: I do not have the answers, but I'm reading 2 books that are helping me and might help you, too. Both recommended by family members (one is my sister who's children are VERY well behaved). To Train Up a Child is one and the other is The Strong Willed Child by Dobson. The To Train... book especially is really good about helping you define levels of escalation and they focus on "training" instead of discipline.

I like the shopping idea for your Girls' afternoon. Or coffee, maybe? Or make overs at the mall - my mom and I have done that the last 2 years for my birthday and then with my make up done perfectly I can go home and get dressed up for dinner out w/ my husband! :)

On goldfish: Caroline is all about the goldfish. She wants them if she can see the box. This is especially problematic when we're at work and I have to bring stuff with me... :) So I'm sympathetic.

[Tara]

Whenever I ask Shea what she'd like for breakfast she answers either A) Candies! or B) Cookies! As if??

I vote for beach.

[Lisa]

My 2 year old (also named Jack) has selective deafness with the word "No." Still haven't found a discipline method that works well with him. He also uses his pacifier for sleeping only. I'm thinking age 3 is my limit with that.

[Jess]

Shopping and beach sound like fun. Can you do BOTH? And can I come?

[She Likes Purple]

Yeah, I say there is no "too old" for pacifiers. At least I say that now. I don't want to touch that battle. If he's 5 and still sucking, so be it. I figure he'll eventually let it go when his girlfriend gets annoyed that she can't properly make-out with him while it's in. And, if not, well, she wasn't right for him anyway.

[-R-]

I love the comment from She Likes Purple and totally agree with it.

However, my in-laws have told me that a baby can't use a pacifier once the baby can watch. To which I said, "Oh, that is an interesting opinion."

[Jen @ The Short Years]

My oldest had her pacifier (at night, for sleeping) until 3; the next until 2. Youngest is 1 and I have no intentions of taking it away anytime soon. Why create more problems for myself than I need to?

[-R-]

That should say "until the baby can WALK" not "watch."

[Heather]

My 2 1/2 year old still uses hers at night. And she understands that it goes back in the crib when she's awake. I'm not too worried... yet! We're moving her to a big girl bed soon, so I don't want to introduce a ton of changes at once. Ask me again in a year. :)