Day 1 Follow-up

B"H

First days are always the easiest for me because I'm still fully inspired and B"H I really enjoyed the challenge! There were a few times when I was tempted to go back to the old way, but I was able to hold back  and they BH responded so sweetly! 

The first time was when my Nechama'le was doing such a great job taking care of Levi. He was a bit whiny, so she  started entertaining him and making him laugh, and I was so proud of her. 

I felt like I had to "do" something to reinforce her helpfulness, but I held myself back from offering her some small  tangible reward. 

Instead, I called her over and whispered to her that I want to tell her something.
She asked what, and I said that Hashem is so proud of her and that she has such a good heart! 

She ran back to play with him, (and also spoke really nicely with Yudale), but she returned to me a minute later to hear more:)

I told her that she is such a great big sister and that she is so responsible!

She smiled so proudly, thought for a second, and then asked me to close my eyes.

When she "let" me open them two minutes later, she showed me her surprise - she had changed into her "best big sis" t-shirt and said "because you said I'm the best big sister!"

It was so cute how she believed my words and rewarded herself better than I ever could) 

The second time I was tempted to go back to the old way was when both kids started arguing (again!) about who will take a bath first. First, they both wanted to be second, then they both wanted to be first, and then back to second again.. and I was getting so frustrated! I was tempted to somehow "bribe" whichever one would give in, (which never really works anyway because then they both want to be the one to give in,) but I knew that I can't. Not knowing what to say, I just said the truth, that I am so disappointed that they are making such a big deal about who goes first... 

My son responded right away by getting ready for the bath - just to make me happy!

Later, when they both wanted to play with the same ball at the same time, (of course all other toys don't exist at that moment,) I was tempted to pull out some kind of "threat". But I knew that's not an option anymore so instead I said that I want them to think of a creative idea of how they can both play together and both be happy... And that's exactly what they did! .

And tonight, I spoke to them about shining their teeth instead of a video, and when I was tempted to pull out my old cards again by bedtime, I was B"H able to peacefully get them all sleeping instead, without any drama:)

Now the big challenge is to try and keep it up even if they test me... but it was definitely an encouraging start!