grannys gone and done it

[lindalouly]

Doc called with results of yearly blood panel: everything is normal! He does sugar, cholesterol, thyroid, on and on. It's pretty extensive. My white count was elevated, so I have to get more blood work in 2-3 weeks, at my convenience.

Hope it's nothing! But the rest sounds good!

 

[campingshaws]

I know, I do feel so bad. But it's easier to say goodbye I guess. I was pretty sentimental about a few of them, but they just weren't selling. we were going through over 50 lbs of feed a week for 16 layers and about 80 juvies and chicks. Just not practical.

I hear ya.
You will feel better tomorrow.


How does this auction thing work?
You drop off your birds then what?

They mail a check. It's so easy. I really want to go tonight, though. See where the market is. I still have 20-30 to thin out, but auction helps me gauge the public's opinion of various breeds, ages, hen/roo, etc.

The guys had not idea what a svart hona is. No one does. So I guess "breed education" needs to go on my ads.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Wishing (and others) I'm wondering if communication isn't a big part of bubba's problems. I wonder if he's not able to make himself understood and argues? He's very adamant that yesterday he did not pull cards; on the way home yesterday I asked if he was good and he said "very super good." So I wonder if yesterday there was a mix up. Regardless, I'll be meeting with the teacher soon.

He's an extremely willful kid with a lot of passion. DD was easy; if we were disappointed then she was heartbroken. She cried yesterday because they kept distracting the puppy during potty time and I told her if he had an accident inside, she was cleaning it up. She felt bad that she had distracted him.

But bubba... We do timeouts, take toys or tv time, send to his room, spank, extra chores, whatever. He clearly understands the consequences, but I think he believes the punishment is worth the crime. He's so extremely willful. And sweet, and helpful, and compassionate. He has strong leadership skills, just have to figure out how to make him think the good behavior was his idea.

I'm sure strangers who observe his behavior would think he's never met a correction or disciplinary action in his life. He's active and does what he wants, when he wants. And that's why sometimes I'm the mom pushing a howling 4yo in the buggy through the store, because I don't negotiate with terrorists.

The pre-k program here is very good. I think he really needs the structure and socialization (and speech therapy) this year to prepare him for "real school" next year. Pre-k is modestly following rules, modifying behavior, setting routines, learning numbers and letter sounds, things like that. They do lots of playing and art projects. And they nap!

If he has a speech delay, therapy will make a big difference. Speech therapist will also know if there are additional concerns that need to be addressed. Remember, at his age, a year is a huge proportion of his life... one fourth of his entire existence! He will learn a lot in Pre-K, and you will see a lot of changes, so don't worry too much. My advice is to pick one or two behaviors to focus on in the school setting. Have the teachers NOTICE when he is doing the RIGHT behavior and reward him. Maybe a stamp or check mark on a chart, and when he gets 10 stamps (or 5 days of 10 stamps), he earns a special reward or privilege. Too much attention on the negative behavior can actually reinforce it, and it becomes attention getting behavior. Pick a new behavior to focus on when he masters the first one.

You can use the same idea with him at home. Agree on appropriate behavior before you go in the store. Telling him how you want him to act is better than a long list of no's. I want you to walk right next to me the whole time, use an inside voice, and keep your hands to yourself the whole time. It takes longer to do this, but if you say no running, no yelling, no touching, guess what, running/yelling/touching are the last thing he hears and will be in his mind. If he does well, big praise and points toward a reward. You might still need consequences, and I agree, no negotiating with a terrorist!

Don't get me wrong. Saying NO is fine. I say it all the time. I just think with a willful child, it's best to downplay the negative and reinforce the positive. Strange to think that being willful or stubborn in an adult is often a virtue. We call it persistence, passion, self-starter, not giving up... good qualities. You don't want to extinguish all that, just rein it in a bit and nudge it in the right direction. Halfway through your shopping trip, pick him up, give him a huge hug and tell him how great his behavior is, how proud you are of him, and keep up the good work! It really works, but you have to catch him being good and show him you noticed. It can be a hard mindset for a parent or teacher to change, but it is very effective, especially with the stubborn ones.

Careful not to tell him he is good or bad, it's all about his behavior and manners... what he does, not who he is.

Hope this huge post didn't melt your phone

 

[lindalouly]

Did twisted leave? Well it was nice yaking with ya.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Quote:
Lovely! It's great to see how they move together.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Ok all u chicken experts. I have a bsl hen sticking her neck out 3X normal length & sitting not moving since 3pm yesterday. One of the black sexlink hens had been making a noise like something stuck in throat for 6+months. Not sure if it was her but i don t hear the noise from anyone now. What u think?

Poor chicken. Other than something stuck or a tumor, I can't think of anything. How is she doing now?

 

[Tippylou]

I think I am going to veg out if front of the tv for an hour.

BBL.


Tippy..4 days in a row I have been out walking!
Have you too?

I just got back from my first 15 min walk of the day!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Back I think I need an intervention

We started phase 1 of acquiring another 3 yak cows. Names are SBR 19 , Janet, and Myrtle. all royals. here is a link http://www.yakzz.com/animalList.aspx?fid=7280&displaycat=Cow for Sale&cat=cow+(female)&spid=6 . Asked for pics of the 3 yr old heifer calf.

Does it matter which parent has the color in order to pass it on to the offspring? Is it possible to get a mostly white calf from SBR 19 when Porter is dark?

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Twisteds new signature should be... Come scratch my yak.

Sorry about your smokey day. Sounds worse than my skunky night.

 

[lindalouly]

  


Sorry about your smokey day.  Sounds worse than my skunky night. 

I yak it up to a reason to leave today! Lol