Coloring on the Floor

While in the kitchen doing dishes, I hear laughter from Aiden.  He is obviously having fun.  I turn around and see this.

I know the crayons are washable, but it’s really hard to wash off the grout.  My first inclination was to yell at him for drawing on my floor.  He knows he’s supposed to draw on paper.  Instead, I took a breath and reminded myself that it was just the floor.  “I see you are enjoying coloring on the floor” is what I said.  “We color on paper not the floor.  Let me go get you some paper.”

I unrolled a section of kraft paper for him to color all over.  I made it a large section so he could still draw with his entire body bringing the crayon from one side of him to the next.

I’ll save the piece of kraft paper for another day – we’ll color more with crayons or break out the paints.  Then, we can use it as some really unique wrapping paper.

I try to make my responses to my son positive.  I try to redirect and model the behaviors I want him to do as much as possible.  He loves testing the waters and tries to see what he can get away with.  It’s just a part of growing up.  Some days are harder than others.  Kristina at Toddler Approved wrote about Eight Ways to Deal with Anger as a Parent.  The list has great suggestions for what to do when kids push your buttons.  Try some of those strategies the next time you feel upset.  I know I will.