I love iCarly! I have a terrible weakness for children's television. I used to babysit a lot, so I had an excuse, but now I just... it's a problem. I honestly enjoy both iCarly and Wizards of Waverly Place (there's an episode of that that almost made me cry. it was so embarrassing!)

Thanks guys for the calorie site suggestions earlier!

That is too funny, Ginger.

Do you use the phrase "I can't hear you when you whine." good times.

"Can you say that again, without the whining?"

"That's still whining."

In our house

"Stop whining or you'll have a timeout. Okay...timeout."

results in "No" or "You can't make me". We are pretty much a timeout free house. But the kids I nannied were very responsive to timeouts.

"You can't make me".

Yes, I still have the advantage of being able to physically pick Matilda up and put her into her crib. (Which really only functions as a combo timeout zone/stuffed animal zoo at this point. She doesn't sleep there.)

"Can you say that again, without the whining?"

Yes. "I need you to ask me in a polite tone of voice."

Which usually results in a whiny "Pleeeeeeeeeeease may I have [whatever]???????" but at least it's a start.

I can still physically overpower mac, it is just that doing so is destructive to our relationship. I shouldn't really include myself in these parental strategy discussions. The hurt child/attachment issues world is an upside down one where opposite behaviors prevail.

So, the pickup artist thing is officially dead now that's it in the NYTimes, right? [link]

I suppose it's telling that I saw this story TWICE on Twitter this morning:

Technology use is rewiring our brains:

Scientists say juggling e-mail, phone calls and other incoming information can change how people think and behave. They say our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of information.

These play to a primitive impulse to respond to immediate opportunities and threats. The stimulation provokes excitement — a dopamine squirt — that researchers say can be addictive. In its absence, people feel bored.

The resulting distractions can have deadly consequences, as when cellphone-wielding drivers and train engineers cause wrecks. And for millions of people like Mr. Campbell, these urges can inflict nicks and cuts on creativity and deep thought, interrupting work and family life.

While many people say multitasking makes them more productive, research shows otherwise. Heavy multitaskers actually have more trouble focusing and shutting out irrelevant information, scientists say, and they experience more stress.

Which usually results in a whiny "Pleeeeeeeeeeease may I have [whatever]???????" but at least it's a start.

HA! I think Dylan and Noah are sharing a brain. With N he'll say he word please in the most spiteful and angry tone and then he'll make his request and end it with a huffy, "I said PLEASE." The next lesson is please does not mean you automatically get your way.

I shouldn't really include myself in these parental strategy discussions.

Totally disagree. I think a lot of what you have to do in terms of parenting is a lot of what I end up wanting to do. Which is being less overpowering and more willing to wait until a kid gets there on his or her own. I know you are in a totally different situation and world, but many of the techniques you use sound familiar.

Relatedly, one of the things I've really learned lately is that being a parent is a constant lesson in the idea that my attachment to my own feelings is somewhat irrelevant. By that I mean, it's not particularly useful to express anger or super strong emotions because my 3-year-old does not really care so much. Or it's not useful to dealing with him. That's not to say I don't have boundaries, but it's more like, huh, he's not concerned with the fact that I want to stop the car right now and get out and walk down I-5 for a few miles without him.