This year, in the newsletter, we'll be studying a different aspect of Momology each week (and I'll be asking you to help… so get prepared!). We're starting with the yellow table:
Audiology: The Art of Selective Listening
If there is one thing your kids inherited from their dad, it's the art of selective listening. And, since more than one member of your household has probably perfected the art of selective listening, here's a little table that can help you to better understand what's going on.
You say, They hear
1. You say: Turn off the TV and come eat dinner.
Your hubby hears: By all means, dear, watch a little longer, dear. It's no biggie if the roasted chicken that I spent two hours preparing gets gelatinous while we wait for you to see the score.
2. You say: Go upstairs and get dressed for church.
Your daughter hears: Go upstairs and put on that ratty hot pink tutu you wore last Halloween with your bright orange hoodie and then throw a fit when I tell you that you can't wear it.
3. You say:We're having veggie and chicken stir-fry for dinner.
Your kids hear: If you whine enough, I'll give in and make you a box of Macaroni and Cheese.
4. You say:Be home by 6 sharp so we can drop the kids off at my moms before the ballet starts.
Your hubby hears: Be home sometime in the six o'clock hour because if we're late to the ballet, we can just hang out in the lobby and check sports scores on our phones.
5. You say: Pick up your toys.
Your kids hear: Go ahead and keep playing until I yell really loud—then shove everything on the floor into the closet as quickly as you can.
6. You say: Give me five minutes to start this load of laundry and then I'll play Handy Manny with you.
Your kids hear: If you pester me every 2 seconds while I'm trying to start the load of laundry, I'll get done faster.
7. You say: Don't pull the dog's tail.
Your kids hear: Ride the dog like a horse.
8. You say: No, you may not have chocolate chip cookies for breakfast.
Your kids hear: You can have chocolate chip cookies five minutes after breakfast as long as you pick apart your eggs long enough to make it look like you ate two bites.
9. You say: Stay in bed.
Your kids hear: Stay in bed... unless you're thirsty. Or hungry. Or scared. Or have to go pee for the seventeenth time in the last twenty minutes.
10. You say: We don't hit other kids.
Your kids hear: We only hit when someone has the audacity to come within 17 feet of a toy that looks like a toy that you used to have.
6 Ways to Gently Remind a Selective Listener to Listen
(Tips thanks to the Audiology group!)
1. Instead of counting backwards (5, 4, 3, 2, 1… go to timeout!), count forwards. That way your kids will never know whether you're counting to 3 or 5 or 10… so they'll spring into action right away.
2. Start talking really softly and they'll think you're telling them a secret… and bend closer to listen.
3. Give them a choice to listen. Say something like "Okay, if you don't hear me asking you to put the toys away, that's fine. But if I put them away, they're mine."
4. Don't repeat yourself. Ever. After a few "mommy took all the toys and put them in her closet" mishaps, they'll probably start paying better attention.
5. Get down on their level—so it's very (very) clear who you are talking to.
6. Tell them something good. If you're always telling them to clean up their toys and drink their milk, they might start to tune you out. But if you mix in an occasional "how about a cookie?" or "let me help you with that" they'll be more likely to listen.
Audiology's TOP Momcoctions
I asked the girls at the yellow table to share their favorite "momcoction" recipes—you know, those yummy recipes that you can whip up in no time and even the pickiest toddlers will devour. Here are my favorites:
Staci's Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1.5 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 cups grated zucchini (I use the food processor)
- 1/2 cups nuts (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 1/3 cups flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
- Combine wet ingredients, then dry ingredients, then combine together~ Add zucchini & nuts~Bake in 2 greased loaf pans @ 350 degrees for 45 minutes
- Teresa's Microwave green Chile chicken risotto
2 Tablespoons of butter
1/2 cup chopped red onion divided
1 cup uncooked arborio rice
1 14oz can fat free less sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cup water divided
1 4.5 oz can chopped green chiles
1 1/2 cup chopped roasted chicken breast
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons water
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Combine butter, onion, rice, broth and 3/4 cup of water in a 2 qt microwave safe dish Cover with plastic wrap and vent Microwave on high for 15 min. rotating dish a half turn after 71/2 minutes. Stir in remaining 3/4 cup water, cover and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Stir green Chiles and chicken into rice cover and let stand 5 minutes. Uncover and stir in cheese 2 tablespoons water, salt and cilantro. Add a salad and dinner is ready!
Staci's Mac ‘n Cheese with Cauliflower
Cook cauliflower and puree it in a food processor. Stir hot cauliflower into whatever mac ‘n cheese you make (homemade or otherwise). They never suspect a thing. J
Alisa's Crock Pot Applesauce
Peel and coarsely chop 10 Granny Smith apples. Place in the crock pot. Add ½ cup water, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. ground cloves, 1 tsp nutmeg and 1 tsp ginger. If you like it sweet, add ¼ cup brown sugar. Cook on low overnight and wake up to a yummy smelling house and warm applesauce for breakfast!
Audiology's Favorite Kid-friendly Restaurants:
- Red Robin. Kids eat free and its loud in there!
- Torchy's Tacos
- Sno Beach (does that count as a restaurant?)
- PTerry's
- Kerbey Lane
- B.J.'s
- Taco Deli
- Carinos
- Bucca di Beppo
- Chuys
- Tino's Greek Café
Audiology's Favorite date night restaurants:
- Chez Zee (Tip: restaurant.com for savings on Austin restaurants)
- Uchi
- Estancia Churrascaria
- Jack Allen's Kitchen (half price appetizers from 5-7… and 3 appetizers easily make a meal for two!)
- Mandola Estate Winery
See you on Friday! Let us know if you're coming in the comments!
No comments:
Post a Comment