The Terrible Twos have arrived

Over the last couple of weeks, it has become clear that Jonathan has finally hit the Terrible Twos. This manifests in a few different ways. First, Jonathan is having difficulty with “nice touches” at school. He’s not really trying to be mean, but he’s bigger than the rest of the kids in the class. So when he runs up to give them a hug, it ends up being a tackle. He really is trying on this one, because it’s the friends that he really likes who are his usual “victims”.

Of greater concern is that Jonathan has all of a sudden forgotten about the “only on the paper” rule for his crayons. After having almost no issue with that since he started with crayons, lately we’ve caught him scribbling on the bathroom door, kitchen utensils, and even our bed sheets. Given that Jonathan also insists on walking around with a notebook and crayon at the ready at all times, this problem has proven to be a difficult one to address

And then there’s the listening – or lack thereof. This one gets us on two levels. First, he’s become rather selective in what he hears. He ignores what he doesn’t like. And second, he just flat refuses to follow directions if they’re contrary to what he wanted to do.

So earlier today Miriam and Jonathan were at the grocery store. Jon was riding in the “cab” of one of those firetruck shopping carts. In the dairy aisle, Miriam turned to get some milk off the shelf and Jonathan made a run for it. Miriam found him a few minutes later – waiting patiently for a ride on the pony near the store exit. When Miriam scolded him, Jonathan pulled out his ace in the hole. In that cute little voice that got him the nickname “Squeaker” he said, “When you’re angry it makes me sad and hurts my heart.” (This after last night, when I put him in a timeout and he said, “This not timeout chair. This is THINKING chair.”).

Nice try Little J. We’re on to you buddy.

Sigh. Only nine more months until he turns three . . .