.jpg)
Our Adam, age 8, has figured out the perfect recipe for conflict avoidance with his brothers.
He has started ignoring them...and I must say...it has been working brilliantly for him.
You see, Adam feels things very deeply and has been known to be inconsolable when a conflict arises with one of his brothers. For a very long time, Mike and I have been counseling him to ignore his brothers if they are deliberately trying to glean a reaction from him when he is upset. (We also tell his brothers to leave him alone, in case you were concerned.)
Recently, this is the kind of conversation that can be heard around our house if someone angers Adam. He came up with this brand of conflict avoidance all on his own.
Brian: "Adam!! You are a meanie!!" (I didn't make that up...he really did use the word, "meanie".)
Adam: (looking around with a fake look of confusion on his face) "Did I hear something?"
Brian: (with increasing frustration) "I said you are MEAN, Adam!!!"
Adam: "That is so strange...I didn't hear anything."
Brian: "Stop ug-noring me, ADAM!!"
Adam: (Looking over Brian's head with wide eyes) "I don't see anyone..."
Brian: (basically frothing at the mouth and unable to speak, comes to me sobbing because Adam is ug-noring him.)
So, here's the thing...after telling the child for years to ignore his brothers' teasing...he has actually listened and his results have been fabulous. I couldn't help but laugh at poor Brian when he came to me crying that Adam was ignoring him because, well...What am I supposed to say? "Adam, stop ignoring your brothers!", after years of telling him to do exactly that? Adam has finally come away victorious. In fact, the ignoring tactic has only become really problematic when Evan has made sure if Adam can't hear him...he can FEEL him...if you take my meaning. (Had to break that scenario up the other night *ahem*)
Maybe, they will all start ignoring each other during times of conflict and we can have some peace this Christmas season.
Now, that would be a Christmas miracle.
.jpg)
Here we see Adam when he was home from school with a fever last week. I came down the hallway and found him wrapped up like this on the couch. I can't help it...I think he is so cute..
Adam (December 2008) 8 years and 5 months old.
.jpg)
27 comments:
I wish mine could figure out the whole "ignoring" thing. Love that last picture!
You go Adam!
Gosh he is cute.
Ignorance IS bliss!
Heeheehee.
I tell T to ignore his bro and sis to no avail...i tell ya, he shoudl try it.
Here's to peace!
That is so funny! Yeah, the ignoring thing can be taken to an extreme I guess. But good for him for listening to that advice.
Your boys are so cute! Go Adam!
I wish I could learn how to ignore people. I think it is a GREAT skill. Good job Adam!
Oh he is cute. I really really wish I was better at ignoring my kids- and they didn't destory things while I did.
Why is it that when I use the "is someone talking to me?" strategy with my husband it's not quite so cute to him?
Adam looks like a very cuddly 'marsh'mallow.
Woo HOO!
I am hoping my Braylen can UGnore Jaxon soon. Her whining is killing me!! :)
I tell my fifth graders the same thing. Some can do, others can not. Ignoring is the key to peace.
I wish my kids would ug-nore each other more often. :0)
It shows great resolve to be able to do that. Seriously. Having that much self-control will help him a lot in life. It seems 99% of boys out there need to do just the opposite!
brilliant!
Wow, He's good, he's really good!
I loved Pres. Monson's talk too. What a fun post. I think about it all the time as I trip over toys & well deal with life. What a great message... we don't want to miss out on the joy of the journey. You guys are such great examples of that. By the way... could you email me your address? I have this Christmas card just waiting to send you!
You're such a great mom! May peace reign supreme upon your kingdom!
Good for Adam. There's nothing that frustrates fighting more than not getting all worked up when someone is trying to push your buttons. Ignore them, and they stop. Can I try this with my 2-year-old?
You mean it's going to take my boy another 3 years to figure that out? EVERY DAY I say "just ignore 'em" and it's as if he hears "scream and cry and throw yourself on the floor"
Mine have yet to learn this concept.
Isn't it cute how they look younger all of a sudden when they're sick?
Okay Lauren....in a case of it's a stinkin' small world, I think my nephew and his wife live in your same town. I just got a letter from my brother's family and my nephew Troy and his wife Suzanne live in Martinez, GA. What in the freak are the chances? I can't remember if I have met his wife, I couldn't go to the temple when they got married because Scotty was in the hospital and I can't remember if they were here last year for the holidays (what a loser I am!) I just thought it was a huge coincidence. You've got my email address!
My mom pretended she was deaf when she was reading. It was really annoying. Don't ignore Lenore.
When my kids were all home and fighting, I would say or yell, "Walk away!"
I love that your son gets it.
Adam rocks. I love all the personalities in a house working together (or against each other as the case usually is). Way to go Adam!
Lauren, I'm just giving you fair warning, DON'T check those guys out! I love them, this is true, but they're not very... "clean mouthed". LOL They're not LDS missionaries, they're just dressed like it. This is one of their clean videos, so that's why I post it. They crack me up, but I'm just giving you warning cause I would hate for you to be offended!
Your boys are so funny! Adorable!
I think I need some lessons from Adam on ignoring... well, it probably wouldn't be a good idea for me to ignore my kids, huh? :)
thats right adam! you go!!!!
The cookies were just oreos, dipped in white chocolate chips, so easy and so tasty, oh the boys also sprinkled peppermint on them while they were still wet.
He IS so dang cute! Good middle child tactic I must say!
Post a Comment