Warming the Corner

We had a few days where Johnny and Leesie were testing a lot, like typical first graders do. We were starting new routines and expectations for the fall, and of course new responsibilities aren't always embraced easily (i.e. picking up toys before lunch, putting one's dishes away, listening when Mom talks respectfully, etc.) So between the two of them, they spent a lot of time in the corner. So much so, that after our lunch was over (before Mom could put Elena's shirt back on), Elena decided the corner must be THE place to be. So she walked over to the corner and sat in it, with a big happy smile on her face. Then she began babbling and cooing and showing how terribly fun the corner was.

So instead of facing into the corner, she faced out, but she looked pretty happy with herself. Johnny and Leesie found this VERY funny, and they kept laughing at her wanting to be there, that dreaded place they were quite tired of being sent to. So all the laughing made her refuse to leave, which kept them well entertained.  

Pretty soon, the corner was the place to read to her and play with her, and we had to find another tactic to mold behavior than standing in the fun corner. So having a toddler may keep life a little less ordered, and less controlled but there's no end to the fun it brings. One child's time out can truly be another child's fun.