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[disnut8]

Just wondering if anyone on here made any New Year's Resolutions and if you did, are you sticking to it yet?

Here's mine.  I resolved to be more patient.  I know, I know, that's hysterical.  But the silver Lucky Cat I got at Disney World is helping.  He's for patience and he's in my car for all those WTF traffic jams.

I have lost my patience with some of the idiot drivers but I try and rationalize that I'll get to where I'm going eventually.

Now I just have to practice more patience with RichN.  I'll practice this weekend.

[RichN]

The only reason disnut will be able to practice is because RichN will be out of town.  Otherwise....  No resolutions for me.

[elmono311]

I don't do resolutions

[Supermercado]

I don't really do resolutions.

[Vengeance]

I do resolutions, but I never stick to them. Here's some big ones...

1. Be a better mom.

     Not going so well so far. She's driving me nuts and I really laid into her yesterday for giving me a hard time leaving her friend's house. I guess I'll try again today to be nicer and not so critical.

2. Lose weight/get healthy.

     This has been a resolution for most of my life. I really miss my old figure and the way I used to feel. I feel so much older than I really am just because I don't take care of myself properly. elmono has the TV and VCR hooked up in my daughter's room so I can work out. Now I just need to do it.

3. Get a job. No...get a career.

     Since elmono works and I do nothing, I really want to land this job that I've been trying to get. It would be a great opportunity, but it just hasn't happened. Good pay and great benefits would be nice.

I think that's it. These are everyday wishes though so maybe this year we'll make it.

[elmono311]

You are a good mom. You do realize punishing her for things is a part of being a mom. She doesn't hate you, now does she?

[RichN]

elmono, does this mean you've forgiven us for punishing you?  For all the times?  The MANY times?  Just kidding.  From vengeance's list, I'm would really like to get back to number 3 again.

[jitspoe]

Last years resolutions:
1024x768 and 1280x1024
This year I have 1280x800 -- widescreen!

[elmono311]

Last years resolutions:
1024x768 and 1280x1024
This year I have 1280x800 -- widescreen!

Pyscho 

[Supermercado]

Pyscho 

Hey, you never lived with him

[elmono311]

Yeah, but I did live with Davey...

[Supermercado]

Touch

[Quickbaby]

i dont do resolutions, but i DID quit smoking monday...just until august

[Supermercado]

i dont do resolutions, but i DID quit smoking monday...just until august

Why just until August? You should give Brandon license to kick you every time you smoke. He kicks hard. Maybe you'd stop altogether

[coffeecup]

I don't do resolutions anymore.  It's a day to day thing to do what you need to do.  It depends on the day ----whether or not i stick to something.  I can't say I'm going to do something "all year" or anything long term.  Just gotta take it one day at a time.  And Vengeance is a great mother.  She won't admit it, but she does things with the child that she used to tell me "I won't ever do that to my child!"  Ya know----when she was a child and I was always "soooooooo mean!!!!!!"  I just sit back and watch and laugh...........hehehehe

[Vengeance]

I did start doing something on the 'Be a good mom' resolution. Even if everyone says I am a good mom. I just want to be better. We have only been doing things differently around here for two days, but WOW! What a difference. We've developed a positive reinforcement plan that allows her to see how her good deeds build up. It's in exchange for an allowance system. We're using boullion cubes(because they're wrapped in that gold paper) and she gets one for every very good thing she does.

When she does something not so good(we don't use the word bad now) she gets one taken away. They are also used for her to bargain with. One cube per hour she can stay up past her bedtime. She has one in her jar right now. She gave one up to stay up and watch CSI last night.

At the end of the month she cashes them in for ten cents each and can do what she wants with the money. She's also giving me one cube every time she wants to buy lunch(that's not pizza day because I already told her she could buy on pizza days). Watching a movie in her room to fall asleep to also constitutes a cube.

I've been a lot calmer. There haven't been any arguments and I haven't gone into drill sergeant mode. Next we're going to work on constructively presenting opposing points of view. No more long yelling, whining, or arguing bouts. If I tell her no and she wants to make a point about why she disagrees, that's fine. Together we'll decide if there is a compromise in there somewhere.

I know that it sounds like a lot of work, but it's really easier than just yelling and keeping track of what I say no to day to day(since I used to allow my moods to determine that stuff). We're doing well so far and I have a much happier daughter.

[Supermercado]

Wow, *thumbs up* That bouillon cube idea sounds like a really good one. Just for my own curiosity, what sorts of things constitute getting a cube? And what sorts of things warrant having one taken away?

Keep us updated on how it works out past a few days. I'm curious.

[Vengeance]

I didn't want to make it too hard for her to get the cubes because she needs to use them to get things she likes.

Getting the cats food, getting them water, getting ready for school with no fussing, getting her homework done neatly and without whining...these are all things to get her a cube. Also...helping me with things. Last night she cracked some eggs for me for what I was making for dinner. Helping with laundry can also get one cube.

Whining, throwing a fit, hitting, lying, talking back...all of these things not only prevent her from getting a cube, but it means getting one taken away. Even things that she apologizes for. Playing in the bathroom with water isn't okay unless she asks me so I can monitor how messy things will get. Just making a mess to make it isn't a good thing in my book. Making a mess because you're doing something messy that's fun and that mom knows about is all good.

I'll let you know how it pans out. We had to start this when my mom wasn't here because she's a pushover and we knew that nothing would get done. I needed to get this set with Marlie before she returns. 

[coffeecup]

(I'll let you know how it pans out. We had to start this when my mom wasn't here because she's a pushover and we knew that nothing would get done. I needed to get this set with Marlie before she returns.)

Huhhhhhhhhh??? WHO'S a pushover?? 

[elmono311]

I'm the only one who enforces punishments here...