Good Stuff

I really like my 3-year-old. Ted's turning into quite a character and I really like him. He's stubborn as a mule and won't do anything he really doesn't want to. Sometimes his logic doesn't make sense to me, but we've figured how to work with each other in a very satisfactory way.

I've always loved the mulish little cuss, but I'm really developing a fondness for him that is different than the love that I have.

I think what's changed is that he's really coming into his own as a person. Over the last couple of months his physical skills have taken huge strides- he can climb a ladder for example, or walk on a balance beam. At the same time his verbal skills have increased exponentially. He can tell me about things that happen when I'm not around, or add his own details to a story. He will volunteer things about a picture- what the characters are doing or how they are feeling.

He's started treating us a little better as well. He's more inclined to say "please," "thank you" or "you're welcome" and he will put his dishes in the dishwasher, help me dry the dishes, bring me things or throw things away.

He shares his opinions and has them on just about everything- plaid button-down shirts with collars if you please.

With his increase in independence I have some relief. An opinionated child who is unable to express his preferences can be frustrating. "What? What do you want? I'm trying to give you what you want and I just can't figure it out." This is something I have said more than once to my children, whether the recipient has been the wailing infant at 3 AM or the toddler who's thrown himself on the floor because I pulled fresh socks out of his dresser (???)

He doesn't always get what he wants. He asked for peanut butter and jelly today just as I finished cutting up his grilled cheese sandwich. He had the grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. It's easy enough to grant his other requests though- he wants shirts with collars? That's fine with me.

At least I'm not trying to guess about everything any more.

He's still a stubborn little cuss but at least now I know what's causing him grief because he can clearly tell me about it. Neither one of us is as frustrated as we used to be and our relationship is flourishing. One of his current favorite things to do is stand on a chair in the kitchen and watch me cook- I explain every step to him. I LOVE sharing this time with him.


So far this stage is my favorite.