{"id":891,"date":"2012-11-05T07:20:59","date_gmt":"2012-11-05T12:20:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.positivelyparenting.com\/?p=891"},"modified":"2015-12-04T12:34:42","modified_gmt":"2015-12-04T17:34:42","slug":"duct-tape-experiment-day-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mlparentcoach.com\/new\/routines\/duct-tape-experiment-day-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Duct Tape Experiment Day ONE"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Well, it’s on and thank God I can type…at least I can express myself in SOME fashion this AM.<\/p>\n

The Dora band-aid (seen here<\/a>) has been on for 40 full minutes and it feels like a lifetime.<\/p>\n

I have counted no fewer than 12 times that I have wanted to interfere with my children (and I didn’t really need to). \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Within 40 MINUTES!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

My husband appears to be the happiest. \u00a0Hmpfh.<\/p>\n

It’s going to be a long morning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you don’t know what I am doing, read this<\/a>!<\/p>\n

**************UPDATE***************<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

OKAY. \u00a0So, the first hour was hard. \u00a0I just stared at the kids, bug-eyed, thinking “How the hell are we going to do this?”<\/p>\n

I was most worried about the two year old. \u00a0How would she handle this? \u00a0Would she be scared? \u00a0Act out more? \u00a0(By the way, the two year old has been an ungodly terror for about two weeks. \u00a0Crying, not eating, throwing fits, demanding to be held, etc. \u00a0Yes, I have taken her to the doctor, and no, there is nothing wrong with her physically….yet.)<\/p>\n

So, back to my worrying….how would the “baby” take it? \u00a0Surprise! \u00a0She was the\u00a0most<\/em> affected…for the good! \u00a0She was puzzled, for sure, and still threw a good fake-crying fit, but the fit was\u00a0much<\/strong> shorter and much<\/strong> less severe. \u00a0All the BS I normally say? \u00a0I couldn’t. \u00a0I couldn’t cajole, beg, audible sigh in an annoyed way, or threaten. \u00a0Was it hard? \u00a0Yes. \u00a0But is this band-aid thing working? \u00a0YES.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I “knew” this experiment would work because it is based on solid Adlerian principles and behavioral science. \u00a0But what my brain knows and what my heart and body do<\/strong> are often not in-sync…and I know this is how it is for many parents.<\/p>\n

I know my clients and friends want to wake up in the morning and\u00a0stop nagging and yelling<\/strong>. \u00a0But without a plan (and physically taping your mouth shut), it is hard to bring hopes and dreams to fruition.<\/p>\n

Are you brave enough to try this?<\/p>\n

Write to me here or here<\/a> and tell me about your experiences!<\/p>\n

Need the rules? \u00a0Here you go.<\/p>\n

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  1. The night before<\/span><\/span><\/strong>:<\/span> \u00a0Tell your kids that mommy\/daddy is going to be duct taping (band aids are gentler on the skin) their mouth shut in the morning because\u00a0you believe in them and know that they can get themselves ready.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Make a List of Your Morning Routine:<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0<\/span>Whether it be visual or written, create a chart (WITH THE KIDS) detailing the morning duties. \u00a0Make it short, simple, and easy to follow.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Let the Chips Fall:<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Yes, this means that the next morning may be a hot-mess, but you are going to going to keep your mouth shut and deal.<\/li>\n
  4. Repeat for FIVE DAYS TOTAL.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    While I teach and use all of these concepts, this experiment is NOT my creation! \u00a0For more information on\u00a0Duct Tape Parenting, click here<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

    ********UPDATE #2********\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    So, we had a quick family meeting, and this is how it sounded! \u00a0(The kids knew that they were being taped, so the 8 year old is even sassier than normal). \u00a0The voices are me, my 8 year old daughter Sophia, my 5 year old daughter Louise (Weezy), my two year old Gigi, and my husband Mark. \u00a0The meeting is about 4 minutes and not terribly exciting, but that’s family!<\/p>\n

    Click \u00a0Family Meeting<\/a>\u00a0to hear the meeting!<\/p>\n

    As you heard, not only are there no complaints, but there is also a request for me to tape my mouth shut…all day. \u00a0Oooookay.<\/p>\n

    As for my thoughts on the morning, this is what I wanted to add:<\/strong><\/p>\n