You have them. I have them…pushable buttons. Our buttons are the little things the people around us say or do to push us over the cliffs of insanity. Kids have them too, and have a super-sense of what yours are. They can push those buttons and they get exactly what they want…a reaction.
I am constantly amazed at my house how the button game never gets old or tiresome to my kids. When they are grumpy or tired, they revel in their sister's agonized screeches from having her buttons pushed one too many times.
So, what do you do when your 3 year old has all of the family buttons memorized like the remote control to the T.V.? I've played the button game, and I'm around the button game every day. Here are some things I have done:
- Put the Buttons away. Call it what it is and say that game is not allowed in our house.
- Pull out your bag of tricks. You're smart. Re-direct their energy and focus them on a new, button-free activity.
And if that doesn't work….
- Push back playfully. Keep your chin up, and remember that you are smarter than them and you've played the button game longer.
With all our well-intentioned efforts to end the button game, it will most likely never, ever end. There will be moments of reprieve, but kids know how to play this game endlessly. Do your best to end it, re-direct or treat it for what it is, just a silly game, and all might just be peaceful…for a little while at least.
You can read more about Michelle and more of her button-pushing strategies at her self-titled blog Michelle Wegner.
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Boy, does my 4 year old know what my buttons are. Thanks for the tips!