Whining Prevention

Some of my kids seem to have gotten whinier and whinier lately.  And to say it is driving me bonkers would be an understatement.  So, for the next week I am going to employ the following strategies to see if I can't bring the level back to tolerable.

1. Respond Immediately.  Even if it means I tell them they have to wait a minute, at least kindly acknowledge they are requesting something (to speak/water/to play, etc.) when they are talking politely.

2. Think first, then answer.  I have a bad habit of saying 'no' really often.  And sometimes it doesn't really matter.  But the worst is when I say 'no' twenty times and then decide it's not that big of a deal and let them.  Probably nothing promotes whining worse than letting it work.  So choose my 'no's wisely, not just as a first response.

3. Use a form of this phrase: "You are whining.  I can't understand you.  I would be happy to listen to you when you can use a nice voice like mine."  And then don't listen until a non-whiny voice is used.  Obviously since the offenders are 3 & 4, I will probably have to repeat this phrase several times at first.

4. Increase praise.  Especially for the use of nice voices in everyday life.  But all around too.

I am hopefully this will work, if I am good about it...

November Meal Planning

At this point I am mostly doing this so I can come back and find recipes I like and remember things that we ate that I forgot about.

M 29: Pot Roast w/Hasselback Potatoes
T 30: Halloween Party Foods: Witch finger pretzels, 7 layer dip, Pumpkin roll,
W 31: Pasta if we aren't full from Aaron's Work Party
Th 1: Lasagna
F 2: Ward Party, bring salad
S 3: BBQ Ribs
S 4: Chicken Tortilla Soup

M 5: Pasta
T 6: Stir fry & rice
W 7: Homemade Macaroni & Cheese
Th 8: Omelets
F 9: Balsamic Bruchetta Chicken
S 10:
S 11:
This week kind of fell apart.  There were some scheduled events we skipped and I am hugely pregnant.

M 12: Pasta & Omelets w/gorgonzola and ham
T 13: Chicken Tortilla Soup (Extended Family Gathering)
W 14: Greek Food Day
Th 15: Salad w/Homemade Balsamic & PF Breadsticks
F 16: Easy Pad Thai This was good but the noodles were tricky.  I think I should have soaked them longer and maybe cooked them longer than it said in the recipe with more liquids (water).  Also Aaron requested chicken in it next time.
S 17: Beef Quinoa Soup from freezer, bread
S 18: ?

M 19: Lasagna from freezer
T 20: Chicken Enchiladas (sauce in freezer)
W 21: ?
Th 22: Thanksgiving!!!
F 23: Leftovers

Then I had a baby.  And I didn't plan anymore.