Hmmmmm I knew this would happen.. - VENT

Insanemomof3 wrote: I told my hubby a couple weeks ago that I didn't want a Christmas tree this year because the kids won't listen or stay out of things. We talked it over and he convinced me it would be fine.

I WIN. FIRST THING this morning. The kids are BOTH taking ornaments off the tree left and right, all I do is sit here, get up to redecorate, sit down, get up, redecorate. This is more work than it is worth I think.

We spent all day cleaning and moving furniture in our living room. The living room is now thrashed. Why won't my kids be normal...er...well at least why don't they listen to me?????

Boys r us replied: Oh no!!! It IS worth it though..you're creating a magical holiday atmosphere for your kids and THAT IS worth all of the redecorating you have to do!! I know it's a pain, but just try to remember that they are just exploring this new foreign object in their environment!!!

mckayleesmom replied: I hear you, but both my kids are doing really good this year....Last year Mckaylee probably ate half the candy canes off our tree. I didn't make that mistake this year.....and last year I told dh not to put candy canes on, but he said she would be fine...ya right....

C&K*s Mommie replied: Sometime I sit back and just laugh at Kellie (20mos old) who does not listen AT ALL! It is all I can do, not to stress about her.

many 's to you, and your non-listening LR thrashing kids!

jem0622 replied: I feel your pain! Our tree went less than 24 hours without a gate around it. I had to put up the Superyard XT b/c Hannah was pulling on the garland and lights, and Gabe was taking ornaments off!

ammommy replied: Do they have consequences for not listening about the tree? Poor Megan was in time out most of the weekend for bonging the tree ornaments, but she has been great so far today (knock on wood).
Have them put the ornaments back on with your help. That may teach them that it's work to get them back on the tree and perhaps they will stop in a day or so. Other than that, I'd just put the ornaments that you care about up high so those won't ge demolished.
and good luck.

jcc64 replied: For years, my tree was only decorated 3/4 of the way down. It's getting better now.
I know how you feel, though. My lovely bisque colored sofa is predictably covered in all sorts of child generated stains. I long ago implemented a no food on the couch policy, but ds subverted it by walking around with a slice of greasy pizza in his hand, and managed to deposit one small drop of grease on each and every cushion. (not deliberately). Although I was enraged, I resigned myself to the knowledge that a house with kids is full of love, but also full of stains. When my kids are grown and gone, I will probably look at those stains with all sorts of emotions.
Price of doing business, kwim?

MyLuvBugs replied: How do you discipline them when you catch them doing that? It sounds like they think they can just walk all over you and not listen. Almost like they don't have respect for you. I'm sorry. I don't mean that to be harsh. Do your kids listen to your husband? Maybe try timeout more, or start taking things away from them. We spank at our home, but I know that's not what everyone else believes in. You could always threaten that Santa won't come if they keep doing it. I don't know. Sorry.

punkeemunkee'smom replied:
ITA!!! Sometimes it is enough to drive one to distraction but life does go on!

Denise~ Maybe try to explain it to them...the tree is fun to look at but not to take stuff off of it! I am really lucky Tay never messed with too much and she loved to sit under the tree and just look-she still does! But then she is a girl! Boys are different!

Insanemomof3 replied:
Wow, I never really thought about that...you are so right! I guess I just need to not sweat the small stuff, but I am so tired (only 3 hours of sleep) so that doesn't help. LOL

Off to clean up. Thanks everyone for your kind words and empathy. You guys are great.

Insanemomof3 replied:
We spank here too. Yes, the kids do listen to their dad better, we are slowly making progress with me. It is frustrating, I babied them too long.

MyLuvBugs replied:
See its the opposite here. Lorelei listens to me most of the time, but forget it when her daddy says anything. He's got no backbone with her. lol All she does is smile at him, and he's like "Oh ok here ya go". lol It's hard when they're so young and cute to be tough and stand up to them, but you have to I guess.

USMCwife replied: Eden listens to her daddy more than she listens to me. Maybe it is the sound of his voice.....so my gramma says.
I mostly punish her by not letting her watch a dvd that she wants to watch or a toy that she wants to play with. But that doesnt work all the time.
Sometimes she is just a little angel and sometimes she doesnt listen at all!

Jamison'smama replied: I have a different view--at our house, any decorating that is done is so that things are more magical for the children. It is their job to explore their environment so the tree is exciting and is not off limits here. Any ornament I care about is high and the lower 1/3 is decorated with Dora, stuffed snowmen, pinecones and other things they can feel free to take off and put on as they see fit. I was miss perfectionist with my tree---had to be "just so" but this year I decided, what the heck, what is the holiday about anyway? Make it safe, and let them enjoy--I do not punish for exploring the tree.

A&A'smommy replied: UM yeah I'm NOT looking forward to that BUT like Nichole said we are creating a WONDERFUL holiday enviroment for our kids AND we are creating memories.. or at least we will be in a couple of year

A&A'smommy replied:
We are going to do the same thing!!

holley79 replied:
have you spoke too soon yet??? LOL

Our dogs always undecorate the tree. Gyp thinks it's her personal scratching post and Peanut walks under it and knocks the lower balls off. Can't wait till Annika wrecks havoc on it.