Energy Drain

After reading the Love and Logic for Early Childhood I started to use some of their techniques on Gavin.  One of them is "energy drain."  Whenever Gavin is wearing me out with wining, tantrums, or other unappreciative behavior I can say, "energy drain."  At this time I will explain how his behavior has drained my energy and that he must find a way to fill my energy tank. 

I tried this out one day at the park. After telling him it was time to go, he continued to ignore me and would not budge.  Not wanting to carry him all the way home, I hid behind a tree and watched him after saying, "goodbye."  This of course did not work, he did not care that I had "abandoned" him.  So I walked down to get him and carried him halfway home.  I told him he had drained all of my energy and I would no longer have the energy to play.  I asked how he could fill up my energy tank.  He replied, "I don't know." Perfect time to give him options, so I said, "You can eat all of your lunch or take a long nap."  So he chose his best option, "I'll eat all my lunch." And he did, plus he took a nap.  But not before coming home to tell Grandma, "I drained all mommy's energy and now I have to eat all my lunch."

We've been using this for a few weeks now. A few times he has told me that I'm draining HIS energy, usually when I've asked him to pick up his toys.  It's really rather cute and hard to keep a straight face.

Today was especially precious when I tell him that we had played so hard that he needed to take a good nap so mommy could get her energy tank filled to the brim.  After a great nap, a very relaxing one for mommy (yoga and a few episodes of Bones), I ask if he had a good nap.  He replies, "Yes, I filled up your tank mommy."  He did fill my tank and "my cup runeth over."