I’ve talked a lot about the importance of firmness in my last few posts and just now I had a real insight into how to make it work.
I’d snuck up to the study to go through my emails and as usual Harry had come to find me just as I was knuckling down to deal with them.
Not now, Harry, I’ll be down in a minute- I said in what I thought was a calm but firm voice, á la Dr Spock.
I’m going to help you- he said emptying all my paperclips out of a drawer onto the floor.
You’re not helping me, go down and play with Daddy, I’ll be there in a minute- I said.
Harry started revving up into tantrum mode and was about to switch off the computer (so much for helping me) when T appeared.
With an assured sense of authority, he scooped Harry up and told him he was going to fly him down the stairs.
When I went to find them ten minutes later they were running round the room with their arms outstretched pretending to be aeroplanes!
Maybe T’s been reading Dr S in secret!
Wonder if I can get my husband to try this!