This is the note we got on Charlotte’s “Toddler Daily Report” sheet from school one day last week.  I stifled my laughs as I read it out loud in my most concerned parent voice.  “Charlotte wasn’t using her listening ears today.” It was her first discipline note.  I had forgotten all about the elementary term “listening ears.”  The teacher heard me reading the note.  She turned to Charlotte and said, “Did you leave your listening ears at home today?”

I wanted to say, “Oh, no.  She doesn’t use them there either.  Actually, do you know where I could pick up an extra pair?”

The discipline they use at her school cracks me up.  The teachers say stuff like, “Make better choices!”  Choices?  They’re not even 2 years-old.  They have no choices.  I’m not sure if they have classroom time-out.  I’ll have to look into that since it looks like my kid may end up there soon.

When it comes to toddler behavior, I’d say my daughter is pretty normal.  90% of the time she is amazing!  Charlotte is smiley, sweet, funny, and all around charming.  She is a good eater, a good sleeper, and doesn’t have crazy separation anxiety or anything.  I’m proud to say she is a good kid.

9% of the time, she is in constant disagreement with someone.  Mama, Daddy, Ginger (Yes, she has disagreements with the dog.) or one of her little friends.  She’s not terrible, just not entirely pleasant.  Whining and brief tantrums will ensue.  She will often not do what she is told.  During these times we know she is either hungry or tired.

A dreaded 1% of the time I’m convinced her little pigtails must be hiding her horns.  These are the moments she falls on the floor wailing.  She cannot be consoled as she thrashes around in our arms shouting “No!”  A few times she has lashed out with a hit.  This is, of course, is unacceptable and results in time-out.

So here is my question.  Is timeout good enough?  I feel like she does calm down when put her in the little corner of our house designated for punishment.  Greyson and I stand over her and watch her for 1-2 minutes before we crouch down and talk about what she did.  Then we ask her to say she’s sorry, give her a hug, and tell her we love her.

During the “1% times” Greyson has asked me about spanking.  He was no stranger to spankings as a rambunctious little boy with a mom who had a device known as the “Super Spoon.”  I can count on one hand the times I was actually spanked as a child.  Let me tell you, I deserved it each time.

This recent study on spanking leads you to believe our babies will grow up to be smack addicted ax murderers if we lift a hand to them.  I don’t like spanking because I don’t think hitting should be the way you teach a child not to hit.  I also don’t like the thought of ever physically harming my child in any way.  Maybe there is truth to the whole “this hurts you more than it hurts me” thing.

Were you spanked?  Are you spanking your child?  What methods of punishment are you using?  Are they effective?

Oh, by-the-way, I took Charlotte to the doctor today.  She has a double ear infection.  Maybe she had listening ears all along, they were just infected.

This is a What I Wore Wednesday (night) post because well, frankly, I forgot it was Wednesday and spent all day thinking it was Tuesday.  Short work weeks will do that to you.

Head on over and see what Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy wore this week too!

Suit: The Limited

Shoes:  Umm…Oh, God it’s been so long.  I dunno.  They’re white and I had to wear them before Labor Day.

Top: Target

Necklace: Target

Yeah, this is a lot of pink.  I know.  Luckily, that is my favorite color!  This looks cute without the blazer too.

Blazer: H&M

Top: H&M

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Target

Let’s hear it for the statement necklaces!  I had fun with this one.  I love all the gray and yellow combos I keep seeing pop up lately.

Skirt: Anthropologie

T-shirt: Old Navy

Necklace: Francesca’s Collections

Belt: Target

Shoes: Kenneth Cole REACTION

What do you think?  Any suggestions for next week?  I’m such a nerd, I love talking “Mommy Fashion.”  Tell me what you think.

This weekend our friends Erin and Billy came to Raleigh to visit.  They moved to Charlotte about six months ago.  It has confused their 3 1/2 year-old son that he now lives in the city of Charlotte and that is different from his little friend.  When Will walked in the door, I couldn’t believe the tall, lean, little boy he had become.  Will always called our daughter “Baby Charlotte.”  He obviously couldn’t call her that now.  He looked at the toddler before him in slight disbelief before the two took off to play.  I got to snuggle their newborn son, Nate.  It was a great time.

Erin and I are lifelong friends.  Kindergarten was when we began our storied friendship.  I’m sort of in love with these pictures I snapped of Charlotte and Will together.  When I look at them I see their mothers.  The young friends we were are echoed in the faces of our babies.

I hope your Labor Day was this happy.

I have a friend at work that regaled me with a little tale I want to pass on to you lovely readers.

This is Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? This fountain is designed to be reminiscent of fountains in the Place de la Concorde in Paris and is near the city’s Confederate Memorial Statue. So show some semi-racist respect, you!

Anyway, my friend was walking her roommate’s dog when the little pup felt a call of nature. A solid call. My friend was panicked to realize she did not have a baggy for this doggy duty. Err, doodie. To make matters worse, the dog left its deposit on the cement sidewalk, in front of a police officer. Obviously, she would have to pay a fine if she left it in front of one of Savannah’s finest.

Oh she paid a fine, alright.

She searched her pockets for a bag, some paper, or anything to scoop the poop. My friend was forced to turn to America’s old pal George. George Washington. That’s right. She used a dollar bill to pick up s#*% off the sidewalk.

The dog’s name? Gucci Onasis. Only Gucci the dog would make you pay to pick up its poop.