How do you keep from laughing when your kids are doing something naughty/funny? - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

laurieg · #1 (**permalink**) 09-22-2005

A couple days ago I went to the mall with my mom and 3 kids. We ate there and then I just wanted to "quick" get some underwear from JCPenney.

Well my 2 1/2 year old girl picks up a bra by the hanger and starts swinging it around and laughing. Of course I can't help myself- I start cracking up.

So then my 4 year old son starts in- and next thing you know, they're running all around giggling and throwing/swinging bras everywhere!

I had all I could do to NOT pee my pants. Finally I got my composure together and got them both to sit down (with a little threatening i.e. no videos) while I found the correct home for each bra.

My mom isn't any better than me- she's laughing too! Thankfully my 1 year old isn't able to get around yet- so she was in the stroller.

Any ideas on this? It's funny at first, but then they get carried away and they don't know when to quit. DH says that I need to stop smiling/laughing when they misbehave, but sometimes I just can't help it- LOL! I usually try to look away if I can.

shupe · #2 (**permalink**) 09-22-2005

Too funny!!! Sorry I don't have any suggestions. I was a preschool teacher before I had my kids and was pretty good at keeping a straight face~ mostly from practice, I think! But one time when my nephew was little, we were sitting at the dinner table and for some reason he decided to pick up his little glass of milk and dump it on his head. It caught me so off guard I just couldn't keep from laughing. And then my brother got all stern with him which just cracked me up even more. And when my brother said to my nephew (who was giggling) "it's not funny!!" He asked in complete innocence, "Then why is Aunt Amy laughing?" at which point everyone decided it was a lost cause and joined in!!

kimberlynsmommy · #3 (**permalink**) 09-22-2005

Sorry Laurie, no advice here either! I regularly find myself having a difficult time keeping a straight face, especially with my three year old. Sometimes even when being naught they are just too cute!

dkcooper · #4 (**permalink**) 09-22-2005

I haven't mastered this yet. I try really hard though. My face gets strained, and I pinch my lips. Usually I have to turn my back and put my hand over my mouth. But the kids see my shoulders shaking and they know I am laughing

Give it up! Go ahead and laugh! These are the moments that should be treasured anyway LOL!!!

DenaC

knightsgal76 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-22-2005

I don't really have any advice for you either Laurie... the only thing I try to do, is before we get out of the car I set some ground rules... ie.. make sure you stay right next to mommy, no hanging on the shopping cart, we need to use inside voices, don't touch things unless you ask first, etc. depends on where we are going, what I say... but even at the ages of 6, 4, and 3 (the one year old is usually confined) they need to learn to be respectful of other people in the store (ie don't run you might bump into someone, don't yell we are inside, etc), and it makes it easier on me too...less stress. Just like every aspect of being a mommy...it is ongoing teaching process.

lisahoo · #6 (**permalink**) 09-22-2005

DD is just 13 months old, but she knows when she is being a little stinker -- usually it is banging on the coffee table or rattling the door to the entertainment unit -- when we say "no!", she looks over her shoulder and gives us the most adorable little troublemaker grin -- it is pretty much impossible not to laugh! (Little booger is TESTING us!!!) So far, the best I can do is turn around for a second so I can put on my "serious mommy face", but it pretty much just takes practice, I think.
Toughest job in the world -- luckily it's also the most rewarding!!!

laurieg · #7 (**permalink**) 09-22-2005

Thanks ladies- I need all the advice I can get- LOL!

Amy- that is too funny about your nephew!!!!

Dena- it IS hard to keep our shoulders from shaking isn't it- hahahaha! I don't mind laughing at home when they're naughty- as much, but out in public *sigh*! Thankfully there were no employees around in JCPenney while they were having the bra free-for-all LOL!

Raechel- thanks for the "ground rules" reminder. I usually try to remember to do that. They both said "sorry" to me later- when we had a little chat about it.

Lisa- I guess I just need more practice- maybe I can watch comedies- and see if I can keep a straight face throughout the movie!

Yvette · #8 (**permalink**) 09-22-2005

Reminds me of a story about my nephew, his parents had been having a hard time with his language, just started school and thought swearing was great! We were at a family get together and my SIL was talking to my nephew about how good he'd been all day, his response " Yes Mommy, I didn;t say #$&& or #(&#&#$ ALL DAY!". Well you can imagine trying to keep a straight face for that one! There were probably 10 adults facing the walls with their shoulders shaking!

Yvette