Not materialistic??

I find most kids have lot of toys or have a favourite toy to which they are attached to. If I look at my kids, they hardly play with toys. They have a few toys, but somehow they don't seem to be very interested in them. But they still fight over the toys they have, feel it more of extending their authority over the toy for that moment than attachment. Even fighting is a form of entertainment for them.I ofter wonder why this is, could it be because they are more attached to each other.
They seem to prefer playing with each other playing, talking, fighting They definitely love each other, even though they keep fighting more often than not. They also seem to be slow in making new friends. Even though lot of kids in the neighbourhood keep talking to them, they hardly respond. They are happier to say bye than hi. Only kid they seem to like is their cousin.
Now that they are in separate classes, hopefully will start mingling with others. Rishica's teacher told she has made friends with few of her classmates last couple of weeks. That's good to know.

Time out for Kids

I found it funny when I saw my Indian Americans rather NRIs or in cartoon American parents making kids face the wall and stand. Was wondering how what effect would it have on kids, always believed in spare the rod and spoil the child.

Whenever kids got out of control, I used to scream, it worked not more than few times. Then I tried talking to them in low firm voice, it worked for almost equal number of days. Then even hit them occasionally. Both of them have found defenses against that. One small spank, son starts wailing till he vomits. I become angrier because I can’t do anything. Daughter will start crying but come and hit back, even when she is helpless.

Well my sister back from America tried it out, initially only son used to stand and he quickly realized it was a punishment and he started to mend his behavior. He stopped saying Shut up and lifting his leg to show he wanted to kick.

It was difficult make Rishica stand in the corner. But after few days she realized it was a punishment. She starts crying and will stop whatever she is doing and even apologizes.

It has been working for couple of weeks; hope it continues to. Good thing is even I don’t feel guilty that I scream or hit the kids and for them it has helped them control their behavior without elders being harsh.