Waiting in the lobby--where the inevitable toys with the Backyardigan logo were being hawked. 
Henry enjoyed the shield--the story had a medieval knights theme.
On Sunday we went to church, then home for a quick 45 minute nap and I woke him up to go to a "Princess Party" for one of the little girls from the Children's Center. He had already misbehaved in church--it is a three hour meeting. He really enjoys the nursery which is the last hour and forty minutes, but the first hour and twenty minutes are a big meeting for everyone from infants to adults in the chapel. He gets bored at this meeting, even when I take him into an adjacent room where he can run around and I can still here the speakers. After thirty minutes or so he threw a big tantrum--starting swatting at my face and trying to kick me. Eventually when nursery started he was great, and one of the ladies commented on how well behaved he was.
The party was held at the Children's museum. The first thirty minutes or so was playtime, then the party itself was in a meeting room. Henry again threw a tantrum when I took him off of the tractor and took him to where the food and cake were--and also he was the only boy at the party and the girls were dressed in fairy tale outfits. I tried for about ten minutes to calm him down but he kept hitting at me and screaming so I finally took him back out to the tractor. I pulled up a chair and just sat there while he pretended to drive the tractor for twenty minutes.Oh and apologies to Uncle Joe for the offensive green tractor--it obviously is an inferior brand that broke down and that's why it's on display at the museum.
They had a mock grocery store, and Henry's favorite thing to do is push a shopping cart.
They also had a western frontier section that reminded me of the old westerns I watch.
Henry's second favorite thing after the tractor was this plane. He probably thought it was a car of some sort, because it does not have the wings.
Below is Henry with the birthday girl Nevaeh, outfitted in her princess dress.
I need to figure out how to deal with Henry's tantrums and stop his slapping at me. I am not going to resort to hitting him back. That just seems counter-productive to me.
They had a mock grocery store, and Henry's favorite thing to do is push a shopping cart.
They also had a western frontier section that reminded me of the old westerns I watch.
Henry's second favorite thing after the tractor was this plane. He probably thought it was a car of some sort, because it does not have the wings.
Below is Henry with the birthday girl Nevaeh, outfitted in her princess dress.
I need to figure out how to deal with Henry's tantrums and stop his slapping at me. I am not going to resort to hitting him back. That just seems counter-productive to me. 
3 comments:
Scott,
May i recommend Echart Tolle's book A New Earth,
Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. Your mom has the book. There are several pages on handling children's tantrums that I found quite beautiful.
Let me know when you figure out the tantrums!!!
Uh oh, Henry is at "that age." If you're at home, ignoring the tantrums as if they're not happening eventually makes them ineffective as a form of manipulation and not worth the bother. In public, I remove the tiny "offender" with as little fanfare as possible to the car and if necessary to home.
When my grandson hit and pushed me, it so hurt my feelings that I did cry, though not in his presence. Fortunately, it was a stage he soon outgrew. What worked with him was saying, while holding his hands, "John, remember we don't hit. I think you're feeling tired, so you'll have a rest in your crib now." Separating him gave us both a chance to calm down.
I can't believe you've had Henry for a whole year already! You've done such a wonderful job with him. He is obviously very happy and secure (as evidenced by the tantrums).
Hang in there, Dad. This too shall pass.
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