Finally Married, but question re Niece

[pam]

You didn't offend at all. Honestly I can see your frustration and welcome you as a member of the site in your own right. I would love to have you stay and get to know you.

[Elgama]

Originally Posted by djsmom07

that's what I was trying to say but guess I didn't very well - just deleted it and will delete my profile as well - sorry didn't mean to offend anyone

noone here is offended please stay......

-Charley

[TheyCallMeMom]

I also agree with Gwen.. and Alana said it perfectly

some of my kids will come to me for every little thing, walking past their dad in the process.

Other times they will do the same with him.

I think it depends on the relationship with the child.. If they have come to me numerous times and daddy is not busy and I am then I will relay that to them.. being clear on your expectations will make it much easier..

[tanuvasamama]

First of all, Welcome to my world! Hahahaha. We now switch days on weekends. He sleeps in on saturdays and I get up and do breakfast. I get to sleep in on sundays (we have church at 10:30) and he does breakfast. Daddy cooking sunday breakfast has become a tradition in the house. The kids don't realize that it's just because I want some extra zzz's.

Originally Posted by MarginOfError

Welcome to parenthood! You've been given a rather abrupt introduction, it sounds like. I don't know if you've read any parenting books, but it couldn't hurt.

One thing to keep in mind is that kids' minds aren't as practiced at applying abstract concepts like time, or days of the week. Your niece may be coming to wake you up on Saturdays because she doesn't fully understand the difference between Wednesday and Saturday. If you start talking to her on Friday nights that Saturday is a day when your wife is home and on Saturday she should ask your wife to get her food, she might start to make that connection. But you have to talk to her about it every Friday night. It might take a couple months for her to remember, but it'll come.

Also keep in mind that kids thrive on routine. so if your niece is used to getting you up in the morning to get breakfast, she'll do it just because that's the routine she knows. It usually has very little to do with the parents or their parenting styles and more to do with the natural cognitive development of the child. Your niece sounds like a perfectly normal and healthy girl, and at this age, this behavior is a good sign; it means she's developing just as she should.

So, while it may be inconvenient at the moment, you can work to alter her patterns a little, and always remember that what you do now lays the foundation for a wonderful relationship 20 years from now.

I COMPLETELY agree with this!