How to get them to understand they have to wait!

Karri · June 1st, 2004, 10:43 AM

Help!
How do I get Aidan to understand the concept of waiting??? There are times that he wants something NOW and I am in the middle of doing something. If its a real short wait (like if I am in the middle of a diaper change or something), I can sing a song and let him know I will get it when the wong is done (thanks to Stacey for that suggestion). But there are other times...like when I am in the middle of feeding a baby (cant take a break...they are finicky and if I stop, they wont continue) or putting a baby to sleep...that he's got to wait 5-10 minutes and he just doesnt get it. he will throw the biggest fit. And distracting him doesnt work.

Kris · June 1st, 2004, 12:41 PM

Well what I do probably isn't the best thing but I put a movie on for her at those times so she has something to watch or give her a special toy like playdough so it will occupy her but that won't work everyday.

Karri · June 1st, 2004, 01:50 PM

Kris - that is usually what I do. I may give him playdoh or paint, but then he will declare that he is done and get so angry b/c he wants to get out of the chair. Or if I pop a video in, he may f* with the TV and then need it turned back on or whatever. Little stinker

Kaari · June 1st, 2004, 02:32 PM

Isabelle has been able to understand the concept of "wait" for a few months now (thankfully since Allison was born). We started out by telling Isabelle to wait for something but then make it only for a very short period of time. For example, if she asked for a cookie, we would tell her she had to wait while we "pretended" to be busy doing something else. But then, we would give it to her after about 30 seconds. She very quickly learned that "wait" meant she could have or do whatever she wants, but that she would have to be patient first. It's to the point where she will ask for something and if we tell her she has to wait, she gets all excited because she knows that she will eventually get it even though she has to wait for it. Also, we can now tell her things like "you have to wait until I'm done feeding Allison" or other specific events and she is usually pretty good about waiting the required time.

After reading this, it sounds like we are training a dog.

Lette · June 1st, 2004, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaari

After reading this, it sounds like we are training a dog.

Kaari!

I actually like your recommendations! We're going through the same thing with Lexie, so I'm going to try your method.

Sorry Karri.. I don't have any additional tips.

Shanna2 · June 1st, 2004, 08:49 PM

We try to teach Leah the concept of "waiting her turn" and "patience". Whenever we're waiting in line for something, I tell her we have to wait our turn and be patient, even if it's just at the Dunkin' Donuts Drive-Through. She's getting pretty good with it. She'll still yell that she wants something, but I tell her she has to wait her turn and be . . . and she always yells "patient!!".

Karly · June 6th, 2004, 11:18 PM

I use the timer on our stove for lots of things with Tyrus. I tell him that when he hears the "beep beeps" then it will be time to do XYZ. This usually works great.

I know they have those portable or clip on timers that you could always have handy. That way if you were dealing with N or E, you could set the timer for a few minutes and then tell him when he hears it that he can get what ever he's wanting. That way, you can finish up what you're doing (and set it for the right amount of time that you will need, as well).

TtownAnne · June 7th, 2004, 09:01 AM

Kind of like Kaari, we started practicing during phone calls - which is when they normally need something the most, right?!?

We taught Caroline to put her hand on our arm or leg or whatever, and then we'd put our hand on top of hers to acknowledge that we knew she needed our attention, and we'd be right with her. First we started off with only 10 seconds or so, and build up from there.

Jillian · June 7th, 2004, 09:10 AM

Janelle *just* got the concept of wait this weekend. We just always told her wait wait wait (repetitive words are important for Janelle to learn anything it seems) whenever she needed to wait for something, and this weekend she sat back down (it was while I was doing her hair) and said wait and sat there till I was done. With the understanding though has came her telling us to wait. Like at chuch Sunday we told her it was time to leave the nursery and she stopped, turned around, said "wait", turned back around and continued playing.

June 1st, 2004, 10:43 AM	#1
Karri really? seriously? Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: still freakin' stressed. Posts: 21,559	How to get them to understand they have to wait! Help! How do I get Aidan to understand the concept of waiting??? There are times that he wants something NOW and I am in the middle of doing something. If its a real short wait (like if I am in the middle of a diaper change or something), I can sing a song and let him know I will get it when the wong is done (thanks to Stacey for that suggestion). But there are other times...like when I am in the middle of feeding a baby (cant take a break...they are finicky and if I stop, they wont continue) or putting a baby to sleep...that he's got to wait 5-10 minutes and he just doesnt get it. he will throw the biggest fit. And distracting him doesnt work. __________________ Easy Bakin' Living out Loud

June 1st, 2004, 12:41 PM	#2
Kris Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tip of the Mitt Posts: 2,074	Well what I do probably isn't the best thing but I put a movie on for her at those times so she has something to watch or give her a special toy like playdough so it will occupy her but that won't work everyday. Last edited by Kris : June 1st, 2004 at 02:44 PM. Reason: spell

June 1st, 2004, 01:50 PM	#3
Karri really? seriously? Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: still freakin' stressed. Posts: 21,559	Kris - that is usually what I do. I may give him playdoh or paint, but then he will declare that he is done and get so angry b/c he wants to get out of the chair. Or if I pop a video in, he may f* with the TV and then need it turned back on or whatever. Little stinker __________________ Easy Bakin' Living out Loud

June 6th, 2004, 11:18 PM	#7
Karly Looking forward to my favorite holiday... Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: at my computer Posts: 8,322	I use the timer on our stove for lots of things with Tyrus. I tell him that when he hears the "beep beeps" then it will be time to do XYZ. This usually works great. I know they have those portable or clip on timers that you could always have handy. That way if you were dealing with N or E, you could set the timer for a few minutes and then tell him when he hears it that he can get what ever he's wanting. That way, you can finish up what you're doing (and set it for the right amount of time that you will need, as well). __________________ Let Them Be Little - Tyrus, Alexis & Carsten Josh and I will celebrate 10 years in

June 7th, 2004, 09:01 AM	#8
TtownAnne Slowly getting rid of boxes... Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Should I be LTownAnne, or a whole different name? Posts: 16,978	Kind of like Kaari, we started practicing during phone calls - which is when they normally need something the most, right?!? We taught Caroline to put her hand on our arm or leg or whatever, and then we'd put our hand on top of hers to acknowledge that we knew she needed our attention, and we'd be right with her. First we started off with only 10 seconds or so, and build up from there. __________________ Thanks, Shel! Moving and settlement ordeal ...11.09.09 until Caroline's 8th birthday!

June 1st, 2004, 02:32 PM	#4
Kaari Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 453	Isabelle has been able to understand the concept of "wait" for a few months now (thankfully since Allison was born). We started out by telling Isabelle to wait for something but then make it only for a very short period of time. For example, if she asked for a cookie, we would tell her she had to wait while we "pretended" to be busy doing something else. But then, we would give it to her after about 30 seconds. She very quickly learned that "wait" meant she could have or do whatever she wants, but that she would have to be patient first. It's to the point where she will ask for something and if we tell her she has to wait, she gets all excited because she knows that she will eventually get it even though she has to wait for it. Also, we can now tell her things like "you have to wait until I'm done feeding Allison" or other specific events and she is usually pretty good about waiting the required time. After reading this, it sounds like we are training a dog.

June 1st, 2004, 08:49 PM	#6
Shanna2 Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 196	We try to teach Leah the concept of "waiting her turn" and "patience". Whenever we're waiting in line for something, I tell her we have to wait our turn and be patient, even if it's just at the Dunkin' Donuts Drive-Through. She's getting pretty good with it. She'll still yell that she wants something, but I tell her she has to wait her turn and be . . . and she always yells "patient!!".

June 7th, 2004, 09:10 AM	#9
Jillian Umm...need something new... Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,251	Janelle just got the concept of wait this weekend. We just always told her wait wait wait (repetitive words are important for Janelle to learn anything it seems) whenever she needed to wait for something, and this weekend she sat back down (it was while I was doing her hair) and said wait and sat there till I was done. With the understanding though has came her telling us to wait. Like at chuch Sunday we told her it was time to leave the nursery and she stopped, turned around, said "wait", turned back around and continued playing. __________________

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