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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by All Done on February 29, 2004, at 9:24:50
Well, I *really* need your help on this one, guys :). You see, my 20-month old son hates to wear his socks. The minute his shoes are off, he pulls the socks off. The problem is that lately, he takes the socks and throws them in the garbage. We've seen him doing it and we've occassionally found the socks in the garbage on our own. I've shown him the laundry basket about five times already and he continues to throw them in the garbage. The only other things (I hope) that he throws away are used napkins and pictures that he colors and apparently decides are not to his liking.
I'm going to go broke buying socks! Any suggestions aside from moving the all important kitchen garbage can? I just don't know where I'd put it.
Posted by Dinah on February 29, 2004, at 9:41:39
In reply to Parenting help - just for fun :), posted by All Done on February 29, 2004, at 9:24:50
Maybe since he's going to take his socks off anyway, you could have him take them off with his shoes and supervise where each goes. He's young enough that supervision is appropriate.
Or you could use natural consequences. Explain to him that the socks protect your feet from the uncomfortable insides of the shoes, and that if you don't have any socks left you just have to wear the shoes. Then let him walk around a bit in just shoes, no socks. My son would have hated the feel of that enough to grow a rapid appreciation of socks. But they're all different, of course. Your son might like the feel of sockless shoes. :)
Posted by Elle2021 on February 29, 2004, at 13:08:37
In reply to Parenting help - just for fun :), posted by All Done on February 29, 2004, at 9:24:50
>The problem is that lately, he takes the socks and throws them in the garbage. I've shown him the laundry basket about five times already and he continues to throw them in the garbage.
Do you think maybe he's confusing the laundry basket and the garbage can. To a small child, they may look very similar. I say this because I have a laundry basket that looks like it could also be used as a garbage can.
Elle
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 1, 2004, at 1:27:29
In reply to Re: Parenting help - just for fun :) » All Done, posted by Elle2021 on February 29, 2004, at 13:08:37
Perhaps if you put a small laundry basket by the garbage? (if possible) My daughter hates her socks too and she's 5.
Posted by All Done on March 1, 2004, at 9:29:36
In reply to Re: Parenting help - just for fun :), posted by Dinah on February 29, 2004, at 9:41:39
> Maybe since he's going to take his socks off anyway, you could have him take them off with his shoes and supervise where each goes. He's young enough that supervision is appropriate.
You know, Dinah, I've been thinking about this a lot lately. He's at an age where I'm starting to sense that he wants and probably needs a little more freedom, but I think it's a fine line. I guess if I give him independence when I know that the worst thing that might happen is he throws his socks away, that's probably not a bad time to do it.
> Or you could use natural consequences...Your son might like the feel of sockless shoes. :)Being my son, I can't imagine he would. I can't stand the way that feels! Then again, he surprises me everyday.
Posted by All Done on March 1, 2004, at 9:36:55
In reply to Re: Parenting help - just for fun :) » All Done, posted by Elle2021 on February 29, 2004, at 13:08:37
> Do you think maybe he's confusing the laundry basket and the garbage can. To a small child, they may look very similar. I say this because I have a laundry basket that looks like it could also be used as a garbage can.
Well, he started throwing them in the garbage before I *showed* him the laundry basket, but he obviously had seen us using it before. I don't really know why he does it. He doesn't throw any of his other clothes, like his hat or mittens, in the garbage.
Posted by All Done on March 1, 2004, at 9:38:46
In reply to Re: Parenting help - just for fun :), posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 1, 2004, at 1:27:29
> Perhaps if you put a small laundry basket by the garbage? (if possible) My daughter hates her socks too and she's 5.
That's a great idea, Jeff! I'm going to try it. We'll see how many used napkins end up in the laundry, though :).
Posted by All Done on March 5, 2004, at 2:14:56
In reply to Re: Parenting help - just for fun :), posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 1, 2004, at 1:27:29
> Perhaps if you put a small laundry basket by the garbage?
Well, a few days ago, I did exactly as you suggested and I showed my little guy how to put his socks in the basket. I made a game out of it, kind of like we were playing basketball (his favorite). He's managed to put his socks in there everytime he has taken them off! Then, when I was folding laundry, he found one of his clean socks and threw it in the basket, as well. At least he gets the concept, I suppose :).
I'm going to slowly move the basket towards the laundry room. Then, I'm going to teach him how to separate the whites from the darks, add fabric softener, and fold ;).
Thanks for the suggestion!
BTW, How's your daughter? Still missing Daddy sometimes?
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 7, 2004, at 0:14:34
In reply to Thanks, Jeff! You're the best! » socialdeviantjeff, posted by All Done on March 5, 2004, at 2:14:56
Well, I'm glad its working. Good luck with it.
Oh, and my daughter is 5. We do talk very frankly about missing each other. I think I have a harder time than her with it. We do see each other nearly everyday.
This is the end of the thread.
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