KISS It Better: How Keeping Directions Simple Saves the Day

"I need you to put on your PJs, brush your teeth, pick out your book, and get in bed. Mommy is going to put Brother to bed, and as soon as I'm done, I'll be with you. I need you to stay quiet, because if you're not quiet, Brother won't go to sleep, and then I won't be able to come be with you in your room."

Did I lose you?

Yeah. . . my 3-year-old doesn't hear anything past "I need you to . . . " either. *facepalm*

I realized recently that when speaking with preschoolers (namely my lovely, lively preschooler, Abbey), I need to channel the old adage "Keep It Simple, Stupid!" and use way fewer words than I usually do. 

Changing the tirade of post-bath "I need you to"s with a simple "PJs. Teeth. Bed. Quietly." has made all the difference in the world with our bedtime routine - which could have easily been classified as our bedroom train-wreck for the past few weeks.

With my husband gone underway with the Coast Guard Cutter, I get stretched way thin. Pretty much all I do is clean, cook, do (and fold) laundry. . .  and diaper, dress, love on, nurse, and comfort my kiddos. . . And then with all the time that I (don't) have left, I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off keeping a busy play date and/or activities schedule and enough personal projects to keep me and the kids both busy during daddy's absence. 

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I probably should be more zen about life. . . but being busy is what works for us. Even if we're not busy out of the house. . . we're busy at home. Abbey's learning to cut shapes with scissors and I'm helping Joseph learn what walker wagons are for while sewing and getting myself organized for opening my Silly Bear Handmade shop. 

My friends always tell me how "well" I handle patrols. They say "You're so patient with Abbey" or "I wish I could be that calm" but inside, believe me, I'm anything but. I feel totally frazzled. And when I feel frazzled, I'm a motor-mouth. 

And motor-mouthing just doesn't work when you're trying to communicate with children. 

I wish I had really listened to myself a couple weeks ago, and I would have realized that I needed to KISS those frustrating moments better with a simpler, matter-of-fact direction. I'd have been able to greatly reduce the number of times I had to pull out the "stern voice" and especially the "yelling voice" had I remembered to "Keep it simple, stupid!" and not bombard Abbey with a tirade or a running commentary of everything going on inside my head.

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So, I'm going to try this for the next few days:

Every time that I'm about to give a direction, I'm going to get on Abbey's level, give her a kiss, and remember to "Keep It Simple, Silly mommy!" 

I'll try to find concise, simple ways to ask for Abbey's help with chores, or to get her to follow directions. 

I'm hoping that, along with the water imagery that I've been using to keep from yelling so much or acting in anger, this KISS method can make my communication with Abbey healthier and tons more effective!

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Have you ever had to remind yourself to keep your phrases simple when speaking with children?

Do you ever find yourself blabbering when you get stressed?