I haven’t blogged in awhile as things have been about the same…no changes to speak of, just naughty Skids caring not for the house rules or whether or not SO & I are happy with their behavior.

SS9 has been a turd since his birthday. He has literally lost the use of his brain. He has received conduct marks repeatedly at school, isn’t doing what he’s meant to at home & has been a pain in the butt. SO & I have tried EVERYTHING but nothing is working.

SD7 was a turd but started behaving like a human. The well behaved child residing here lasted for a week. Over the course of her turd behavior free week, SO & I ensured to give LOTS of positive reinforcement…praising her for her good behavior. Again, it lasted for a whole week.

SO & I were at our wits end yesterday as both of them were so off…my SO told me (out of their earshot) that they were acting like R’tards…he NEVER uses that word. He & I kind of had it out because he is tired of coming home to me telling him about the Skids behavior. This is a conversation that we have often, but oh well.

During our talk, he tried to ban me from using the term “not my gene’s, not my fault” because he is CONVINCED that since I am with them all the time, that they are behaving more like me than their mother…I don’t see it, but okay.

In Psychology class today, we were talking about Operant Conditioning…i.e. training something/someone to perform specific tasks. We watched the “Big Bang Theory” episode where Sheldon is “training” Penny. This got me to thinking…

NOTHING we have done with the Skids works…so I suggested to my SO that we get some Skittles & treat them (with 1 skittle) for behavior that is wanted without us asking…they have been home for nearly 3 hours & my SD is being a rule-following, non-turdly child. We’ll have to see if this continued “conditioning” works.

Wonder if I can get extra credit for Psychology

SO & I are having a hard time not laughing every time the Skids are treated while saying “good job”. My poor dogs think that I’m talking to them because I’m using my “dog training” voice.

At least we’ve managed to make this mess fun!

Just thought I’d share…