Bossy

I have to say that the "two's" are unpredictable.  One minute my little guy is as charming as can be--listening to me and even helping me around the house.  The next minute he's screeching on the top of his lungs, throwing punches, and kicking because he's not getting his way.  Usually scenario number two happens when he's tired, but sometimes it just plain old happens.  Since he's a strong, solid little boy, I sometimes I have a hard time "making him" do what I want and yet, he has to learn that what mommy says "goes."  (My chiropractor is going to have to make a lot of adjustments this month.  My back has especially been thrown out of whack from all the times I've had to try and carry a 45lb screaming, hitting, and kicking toddler from the park swings to my car.)

Still, the most interesting part of this age is his desire for independence.  He wants to do everything and call the shots, and I find myself more often than not questioning who is the "real boss."  "Don't be so bossy," I find myself telling Little Lewie at least once a day.  He constantly tells me, "Mommy I do.  No Mommy.  I do.  I do it.  I do it."  This can include everything from opening our house door with a key to wanting to be the one to sit in the driver's seat.  If he had it his way, he could get his driver's license (or at least his permit) by age two!

In some cases when he feels like I'm threatening his independence, he will tell me to "Sit down" or "Stay there."  Like a cautious mom who's afraid he's going to dump milk all over himself (including the kitchen counter), I hover, and he can't stand hovering.  "No Mommy.  I do.  I do.  Stay there.  Sit Mommy.  Sit down."

So, what can I ultimately say about his bossiness?  Well, sometimes it's cute, sometimes it's annoying, and sometimes it just makes me late for work.  It's thrilling to see him have an interest in so many things and to be able to do things by himself, and yet, it's tough because there are many, many things that he just can't do at age two.  Ultimately I want him to learn to do things for himself, so I do my best to give him some free reign.  Still, there are some mornings that I wake up wondering, who's the one that's really calling the shots?

Here are a few pictures I managed to take yesterday at the park before he insisted that he wanted the camera.  "No Mommy.  I do."