The Praise vs. Scold dilemma (TMI Warning)

About 24 hours ago I had one of my worst nightmares come true. I can't say the worst since I consider that to be a childhood illness, death in the family, child abduction...all that sad stuff. But in the 'normal realm of motherhood' it was one of my worst nightmares that jumped outside my overactive mind and came true to ruin my morning which in turn wrecked my day.

At 8:49am on Wednesday morning Brandon woke up chatting like usual. After I secured the living room (aka closed the baby gate) I excitedly ventured down the hallway to get my happy little boy. Obviously he was going to be happy because I could smell the hard work he did in his diaper from the hallway. Thinking, "Boy, that must have been a hard one for him. I bet he feels better." I turned the knob in slow motion like you see in a horror movie. I walked in and screamed (and gagged).

My perfect little boy had learned how to take off his diaper. Not only did he learn how to take it off he also learned how to use his entire crib and himself and a bathroom for his diaper #2 duties. Why is it that toddlers think because it is brown it must be a fingerpaint? I wanted to laugh but I cried! I didn't know where to start. Sadly, I called my sister and my mom to get some moral support.

The praise vs. scold dilemma came when I noticed how proud Brandon was that he took his diaper off himself. He thought he was doing mommy a huge favor and that he was such a big boy because he took his own diaper off. Do you become a proud momma that your little bear learned a new thing and he applied himself or do you scold him for the disaster of a mess he created?

This is not the first time I have pondered the problem. He has had this reaction more than once.

When he tips his entire cup upside down and is so proud he got all the milk out of the cup.

When he knows how to use the remote to turn the television to another division of the world (we have 4 remotes and many different steps need to be taken to just watch tv). He thinks he is so smart he got the screen to change but you have no idea what planet the television is portraying.

When he learns things can go into the toilet and when you push the flush button they disappear. This only happened with a little fuzzy toy once but Brandon thought he was Houdini the Magician.

When he realized the bed skirt on his crib is just for decoration. He realized he could fit under there and get stuck. He knows a good hide and go seek spot now.

When he noticed rocks look just as good in the rock area of the yard as they do the grass area. He was so proud of himself for just starting his own landscaping company and made life easier for dad who doesn't have to mow the yard anymore if you just fill it all with rock.

When he learned Grandma and Grandpa react when they are splashed with water. He was so proud he saved them from the heat and used the water to keep them cool.

Obviously, Brandon is proud of himself for finding new and exciting things to learn and ways to contribute to the world. As his mom, I want to be really proud of him as well and praise him when he learns new things but as a 'MOM' I also want to scold him, discipline when necessary and redirect! So as the BEST MOM you come to a middle ground.

So, you solve the dilemma? What would YOU do? Leave a comment! I want to hear from YOU!