dstc_99
Well-Known Member
Over the last week and weekend I have done about 20 loads of laundry. Now granted it is the easy child and difficult childs job to do their own laundry but I had some extra time and I did as much as I could. I did not hang the clothes or put them away, I laid them on the back of a chair and left them on the kitchen table. The girls were in charge of hanging their stuff, putting their stuff away, and going through the bra underwear and sock basket to retrieve their own items. Needless to say this resulted in hours of me having to ask them to put things away. Last night I was down to towels and blankets on the table and one load of laundry. I told the girls I wanted it put away before they went to bed.
At about 1030pm I went in to check on difficult child because hers had not been done. She was asleep in bed but I woke her up and told her if they werent done by the time I got home today that she was grounded. That gives her 1 hour to put away 2 blankets, 6 towels, and hang/fold a couple of shirts.
Now as I am sure many of you know punishing a kid with ODD tends to be more painful for the parent and the easy child than it is for the difficult child. Plus I have to worry about her attempting to strangle herself which is unnerving. On the other hand if I dont punish her then I am letting her get away with it and telling her it is ok. I have backed down so many times in the past in order to avoid conflict and to save my sanity.
So I need advice! Should I ground her and take away her cell and car? Or should I let it go?
At about 1030pm I went in to check on difficult child because hers had not been done. She was asleep in bed but I woke her up and told her if they werent done by the time I got home today that she was grounded. That gives her 1 hour to put away 2 blankets, 6 towels, and hang/fold a couple of shirts.
Now as I am sure many of you know punishing a kid with ODD tends to be more painful for the parent and the easy child than it is for the difficult child. Plus I have to worry about her attempting to strangle herself which is unnerving. On the other hand if I dont punish her then I am letting her get away with it and telling her it is ok. I have backed down so many times in the past in order to avoid conflict and to save my sanity.
So I need advice! Should I ground her and take away her cell and car? Or should I let it go?