In my quest to navigate the complexities of parenting, I often turn to books for guidance and reassurance. It's through this exploration that I stumbled upon a rather unconventional suggestion: introducing the concept of 'friendly' monsters into our household to encourage positive behavior. Initially, I was skeptical, fearing it might scare Madi more than help. However, one particularly challenging day with Madi's tantrums pushed me to give this idea a try.
Madi was in the midst of a severe tantrum, and nothing seemed to calm her. She was hungry yet refused to eat, preferring to play instead. In a moment of desperation, I softly introduced the idea of a 'food monster' – a creature that would come to take her food if she didn't eat quickly. Her reaction was immediate and effective. Her tears stopped, replaced by a look of concern, and she promptly sat down to eat, asking questions about this newfound character.
We crafted the story of the food monster together, describing it as a fluffy, pink creature that lived in the trees outside and loved the smell of leftover food. The mere mention of this monster during meal times became a tool to encourage her to eat without a fuss.
Similarly, we created a 'bedtime monster,' a small, energetic character that played at night and would disturb Madi if she didn't sleep. This imaginative creature became a playful yet effective way to persuade Madi to go to bed without resistance. One night, as I lay with her in bed, she even shushed me, warning that the bedtime monster might hear us and come to play since it was past bedtime. It was a challenge to keep a straight face as I left her room, only to find her fast asleep minutes later.
These monsters aren’t a foolproof solution; there are times when Madi is indifferent to the food monster or even welcomes the idea of the bedtime monster for some nighttime play. When this happens, I play along, maintaining the façade while secretly hoping she doesn’t call my bluff. The book where I found this idea suggests that around the age of seven, children start to question the existence of these monsters, aligning with their doubts about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. That will be the time for us to reveal the truth behind these imaginative creations.
For now, we’re riding the 'monster train,' embracing this unique parenting technique. It’s a creative and playful approach that not only helps us manage day-to-day challenges but also fosters a sense of imagination and fun in our household. Who knew that a couple of friendly monsters could be such effective allies in the parenting journey?
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