Kiss Them When They're Wild

We have entered a new era in our house.  An era, that I've read about endlessly.  An era I have seen friends struggle to survive.  An era that my boss once warned me about when he told me that around the age of 2.5 or 3 you will wake up one day and wonder why  aliens have taken your sweet child and replaced him with a monster look a like and more importantly, when will they be returning your child.  Yes ladies and gents we have entered the terrible twos. 

His favorite word is "NO".  And isn't just an answer to a question, but a declaration of independence.  It is often dripping with assertiveness, attitude and stubbornness.  If he is corrected or told not to do something, the tears and the screaming begin (I small glimpse into the "you've ruined my life, I hate you" teenage years, I swear). And ohhh does he have a temper (oops he gets that from me).  Don't get me wrong, he is a good kid most of the time, but some days it seems there is more bad than good.  We try to keep our sense of humor about it and try to discipline when he needs it, and ignore the tantrums so that we aren't playing into the attention seeking.  Sometimes I myself even become a little evil and ask him a series of questions that get stern "NO"s.  I end the questioning with something I'll know he doesn't really want to say no to, like "Do you want a snack?" and I get the "NO!" followed by a confused look and an "Oh!".  This game may or may not teach him a lesson, but it certainly makes me laugh and helps me keep my sense of humor during the terrible 2's! 

Again I say it isn't all bad.  I love his fiery spirit and the independence that is soaring through his little veins.  And today, when I needed some motivation to get me through the terrible 2's, God hit me with a 2.x4 via Pinterest.  I stumbled upon 25 Rules for Mothers of Boys and while the entire list was great, number 24 spoke to me and well maybe slapped me in the face. The tips was kiss them.  It discusses how boys "harsh, wild and destructive" most of the day (yep that's my kid), but how they also have moments of complete sweet, never felt so loved in my life tenderness.  We often love these moments and kiss and hug and all that good stuff.  But we need to remember to love, embrace and kiss when their wild. 

So as we figure out how to navigate the terrible 2-3's I will try my hardest to appreciate the journey my little monster is on to figure out his emotions and find his individuality!  This doesn't mean I won't lock myself in the bathroom from time to time or down my sorrows in brownies and wine or just plain throw a temper tantrum myself, but it means, I know we'll survive and we'll survive together!