[Peridot]

really I am only starting to give Maximus more than 3 steps out of those five. Max is 4.5.

It's more like:

1- Maximus you need to do/stop yourself doing XYZ.
2- Maximus can you stop yourself or do you need help?
3- (as I am moving to help him) Mommy will help you do/stop XYZ.


Now- if it's dangerous or goign to make a huge mess that he can't clean up you can bet it goes more like this-

'Maximus I am going to help you stop this.' (again AS I am at his side to help) 'It is dangerous/yucky.'

With Minimus (who's 2)-

"Minimus- get yourself down on the floor"
"(as I am helping him down) Feet stay on floor- no feet on table!"

The biggest shift for me in the five steps was expecting that they will from time to time (and sometimes often) fail to comply. Just like we fail to hit the target in our spiritual walks. Help is always available for us, so it should always be avaiable for our kiddos.


Sothisislove- I think removing him from the store in lieu of an on the spot bear hug is fine. tHe whole point is to provide a boundary where their own boundaries have either failed or are not yet in place. After all thwe first thing I do when faced with a temtpting purchase, is leave the store. You're teaching fleeing from temptation- and that you will help him do that- get unstuck- as it were. I think you did fine.