Introducing the Shtunk

re: Introducing the Shtunk

cleverland — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:17:14 GMT

I third the "spirited child" book recommendation. Josie is spirited and that's a GOOD thing, but it is different, and in a lot of ways it is harder. I have a nearly-five-year-old who is all about spirit, and a one-year-old who is just normal, and the difference is incredibly obvious. I agree with others who said that the lady running the class doesn't have it set up right. And this is something I definitely found with my high-energy "handful" little boy. Choose your classes wisely. Lots of them don't work out for such kids... but others do. We had a music class that embraces toddler antics and flows with them rather than against them, which is a lot easier. I've found that "circle time" = hell time for my child. And yes, he's almost five now and very much into Montessori, possible a lifer (in Cleveland they are just opening a Montessori HS, but we'll see) (Make sure it's real, accredited Montessori though, there are a lot of fakes out there.)

PS: You might be amused by my hellish experience taking my little boy to suzuki camp:

catherine.blog-city.com/an_exhausting_week_at_zucchini_camp.htm

re: Introducing the Shtunk

alicia — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 22:35:28 GMT

My almost two year old (next week!) is an "active" child...I second the gymboree or something where she can run wild and crazy! Get some energy out...it might help!

re: Introducing the Shtunk

Jonelle — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 21:29:25 GMT

Sounds like the teacher is a bit inexperienced with young active toddlers. Our girl is close in age to Josie, and we've been experiencing a similar issue in a class. However, we have taken her to a Music Together class that was great because the teacher was supportive of different learning styles and independent play. Because of this, the room was babyproofed in a way so that there were few dangerous or destructive things to do. In this new class, though, it's crazy. The teacher had some lyrics on pieces of posterboard on a tripod, so our girl just walks up and grabs them off. I mean, what did the teacher think would happen? The kids are ages 0-2!

re: Introducing the Shtunk

Julie in Cali — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 03:59:41 GMT

Steve, This has got to be the most hilarious entry yet. I laughed through the whole thing. Your honesty is so freaking refreshing. I can see both my husband and my daughter doing this exact same thing at Kindermusik. And honestly, those who take classes like Kindermusik seriously or worry about "order" in the kinder-classroom need to take a good long look in the freaking mirror. Jeez. You go Josie. Knock 'em dead.

re: Introducing the Shtunk

RikkiTikkiTavi — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:18:51 GMT

It's Nurse Ratched, not Ratchet (not that you asked)

Rikki

re: Introducing the Shtunk

RikkiTikkiTavi — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:14:39 GMT

So, since Michelle called BadyDaddy out on his recurring "golly, ain't I a poor, helpless dumb-fuck of a parent" act and didn't join the Choir Singing Paeans To BD she is mean? Blunt maybe, highly insightful yes, right on definitely. But mean? No, not really.

Oh, all my children went to Montessori pre-school, too. In fact, they actually TAUGHT at the pre-school when they were only three years old. While they were teaching Classical Greek at Yale.

Rikki

re: Introducing the Shtunk

Liz — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 01:16:18 GMT

I think you're all being a little hard on Michelle. I don't think she meant to be mean. If she didn't realize Steve was joking about the Kindermusik thing, then it's entirely possible she's just, you know, slow (as our parents used to say to describe that kid down the block who took the short bus). And you know what our parents always taught us . . . be kind to that kid. It's not her fault she's like that.

re: Introducing the Shtunk

sarzini — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:46:36 GMT

We have a similar busy girl here too. I run her around daily at the park, we do Gymboree a couple times a week too. We do have a music class where she runs around like Josie but it's no big thing if she's not sitting in the circle - as long as she's not hurting anyone or bothering others too much then it's cool. I do find that lots of outside running around helps us - I dread the arrival of winter. Gymboree (not sure if it is in your area) or a play group might help Josie with her energies. Honestly don't sweat the looks from others - I just think of it as jealousy that my kid is so darn cute and cool!

re: Introducing the Shtunk

marissa — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 02:12:31 GMT

I have a daughter that seems to be similar in her activity and hellraising aptitude. She spends most of her 2-year-old time trying to take down her 5-year-old brother. She is a freakin pit bull.

We try to tell ourselves she is spunky and will never take anyone's shit. We tell ourselves this most often when the big brother is nursing his minor head injury inflicted by the sweet little blonde haired, tamborine weilding toddler.

PS THANK GOD you are back...I needed a good laugh.

re: Introducing the Shtunk

NolasMama — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:03:44 GMT

Steve, Josie & BabyMama rock! All cranky naysayers can stuff it. (That means you Michelle.)

re: Introducing the Shtunk

AnneC — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 21:23:09 GMT

Geez Michelle. You sound fun.

We did the "sleeping bear" thing this week in Kindermusik too and the other parents all kind of looked at one another when it came to the ending...

Kindermusik is GREAT for little, active kids. She may appear to be not listening, but she really is. I agree with Morgan that making sure she has another outlet for her energy that is more physical.

As for labeling her "Spirited", that is just the new fandangled word for "Difficult", so I'm not sure that's the best option. She's only 1....give her more time on the Earth before you officially label her. As for the other parents in Kindermusik who give you *looks*, screw them.

re: Introducing the Shtunk

Morgan — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:01:21 GMT

Maybe she would be better suited for a Gymboree or Little Gym class? She could climb around, run, jump (scratch that, doubt she can jump yet), and burn up some of that energy. They do circle time and sing a few songs too but it is a more active class.

You should check it out if you haven't yet! Don't stifle her.. embrace her exuberance for life!

re: Introducing the Shtunk

nancyt — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:02:57 GMT

She ought to be spirited in Kindermusik! When the bigger kids are running around in my son's Kindermusik class, Miss Linda totally indulges them and pays attention to their needs. If the littler kids need to chew on the shakers or drums longer, then she lets them. What I might be wondering if I were you is why the master supply of scarves wasn't in the middle of the babies, instead of up high where they're no fun at all? In a class like that, the kids' agendas should be everyone's agendas, so long as no one is getting hurt.

re: Introducing the Shtunk

EdgyMama — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:23:04 GMT

I second the recommendation of "Raising your Spirited Child."

Does she like to be read to? That was the only activity that captivated my youngest at that age. Of course it meant I had to read to him for what seemed like hours a day. I can now rap all of Mother Goose.

My only other advice is: don't ever take your eyes off her.

Once I was in Target, and, for some reason, had not strapped my 16-month-old son into the shopping cart. I let go of his hand, and .03 seconds later, he was on the very top of a pyramidal stack of soda cases that was about 10 feet high. I had to climb up the Coke display and grab him while praying the entire thing wouldn't collapse under us.

re: Introducing the Shtunk

annewhitefield — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:00:30 GMT

Yep; good premonition, Daddy. German structured methods are there to challenge. Go, Josie!

We need all the bold, savvy shorties around. Love it. Gimme your best stuff now. The stuff you try to seclude in high places. Lucky for Josie she's got fun parents.

Now Italian open structure, ala Montessori, which is being adopted by some public kindergartens will encourage her exploration and give her useful tools. The basic rule in a Montessori preschool it to put it back where you found it, as you found it. Everything is at child height, available

when someone else isn't using it for as long as you like.

(Yep. My boys attended Montessori preschool.)

re: Introducing the Shtunk

steph — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:20:45 GMT

long time reader, first time commenter. why are people so mean to you? i don't get it. i love your blog. i check for something new every day. and i don't even have children. and i don't just love the photos.

(and, michelle - i'm pretty sure steve knew what "kindermusik" meant. and don't be so mean).

re: Introducing the Shtunk

Clementine — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:17:41 GMT

I like the book *Raising Your Spirited Child* by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. Josie sounds like she's got lots of spirit, so maybe you and Erin will find the book helpful.

re: Introducing the Shtunk

Bill — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:11:02 GMT

Welcome back from the tour Steve. Our youngest Adam is going to a kindermusik-esque class every other week, but I haven't yet had the pleasure of attending. When Jack (now 5)was born and even before we was born I was certain he was going to be a prodigy. Now, whether this meant that he would stroll from the birth canal rhythmically finger picking his umbilical chord like a Mariachi with a flamenco guitar or whether it meant he would bear a resemblance to Dizzy Gillespie while nursing a bebop solo into the conic mouthpiece of Kathleen's nipple, I was certain that by the time Jack was five he'd be performing at the Ed Sullivan Theater on The David Letterman Show while I chugged Vodka and Red Bulls with Tina Fey in the Green Room. Needless to say he is not a prodigy and I've yet to drink California Carbombs with the lovely Mrs. Fey. In my opinion Steve, let your little kindermusik wunderkind (oooo....dropped a double german on ya)be as active and as inquisitive as she wants to be. Explore little one....discover the world. Slow down when you're a grown-up. Now's the time for wreaking havoc.

re: Introducing the Shtunk

michelle — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:43:00 GMT

ominous sounding? oh for god's sake don't be so dramatic, kinder means children and musik means...(guess what?) music. You are right, more cute pics, less typing. And so what if she's active, let her be, it's normal for kids her age not to sit still- although as fast as the little dear might be, I'm sure her dad is a tad bit fast enough to grab her out of other people's way, at least before she cracks them over the head with something. Let her grow up a little bit and then you can take her to attention requiring group activities with ominous sounding german names.

re: Introducing the Shtunk

Allie — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:52:08 GMT

She's just really really busy. A fast busy baby. I told Erin I dont know how you all get pictures of her, I tried and it didnt work out so well, she doesnt stay still...but she'll calm down, now that she has the freedom to go where ever whenever she wants to, she is fully utilizing it but she'll get over it.