This too shall pass

Meet Mr. Independent

His new favorite word is, NO. Which has been totally awesome these last few days, not.
He has developed this sense of independence which has slowly been turning into terrible behavior.

Everything that is done during the day, whether it be watering plants or pouring cereal, it's a constant battle of who will do it. He seems to think that he is capable of doing anything and everything. If I choose to decline his screams of him wanting to do something, we enter into melt down city. Which is just lovely.

So I pick and choose my battles. Fine he can water the plants. No he can not handle the hot pot of boiling water. As soon as he wakes up it is a constant struggle of who has the power. Mom or Max.

I get yelled at. A lot. I am trying my hardest to teach him what is okay behavior and what is not. Although there are times I feel like throwing in the towel and saying okay Max you win, I don't. I stand my ground.

And when the screaming and kicking and world war 3 is over, it is like I have my sweet child back. He realizes that Mommy is the boss. And you know what? He still loves me.

His toothy smile appears. His laugh is heard again.

He listens.

He says please and thank you.

Then I give myself a pat on the back, because I survived another day.

The funny thing is I wouldn't trade it for the world. I know that this too shall pass. I will look back on these days and miss it. I pray everyday that even during the hard mommy moments I still enjoy them.