toddlers...

So, it has been an interesting few days here. As Emory breaks out of infancy and we begin to see shades of who this little girls is apart from us, there have been some very funny moments here recently. However, there is also a lot of the proverbial "pulling my hair out" at the antics of my independant, strong willed child. Now, just so I am not misunderstood, if I had the choice between a naturally independent child and a child who is content to let me do everything for them, I will happily take the independent child. And it is not lost on me that it is a gift that my oldest is so very independent. Having said that...
TODDLERS ARE HARD! ESPECIALLY, if you tend to parent in a way that sets limits. I do try very hard not to be whimsical about the limits. To take a thought from Nancy Wilson, the Garden of Eden only had one "no". We don't tend to make rules just because I am afraid of mess or inconvenience. I really do want her to try to do things for herself. BUT, she is still physically unable to do a lot of what she wants. So, in an effort to keep from breaking the spirit of my toddler unncessarily, I got online today to see what makes a toddler tick. This is the best I could find:

Toddler Property Rules

If I want it, it is mine.
If its in my hand, it is mine.

If I give it to you and change my mind later, it is mine.

If I can take it away from you, it is mine.

If it is mine, it will never belong to anyone else, no matter what.

If we are building something together, all the pieces are mine.

If it looks just like mine, it is mine.

Not to mention...

Toddler’s Creed

If it is on, I must turn it off. If it is off, I must turn it on.

If it is folded, I must unfold it.

If it is a liquid, it must be shaken, then spilled.

If it a solid, it must be crumbled, chewed or smeared.

If it is high, it must be reached.

If it is shelved, it must be unshelved.

If it is pointed, it must be run with at top speed.
If it is plugged, it must be unplugged.

If it is not trash, it must be thrown away.

If it is in the trash, it must be removed, inspected, and thrown on the floor.

If it is closed, it must be opened. If it does not open, it must be screamed at.
If it is full, it will be more interesting emptied.

If it is empty, it will be more interesting full.

If it is a pile of dirt, it must be laid upon.

If it is stroller, it must under no circumstances be ridden in without protest.

It must be pushed by me instead.

If it has a flat surface, it must be banged upon.

If Mommy's hands are full, I must be carried.

If Mommy is in a hurry and wants to carry me, I must walk alone.

If it is paper, it must be torn. If it has buttons, they must be pressed.

If the volume is low, it must go high.

If it is toilet paper, it must be unrolled on the floor.

If it is a drawer, it must be pulled upon.

If it is a toothbrush, it must be inserted into my mouth.
If it is a bug, it must be swallowed.

If it doesn't stay on my spoon, it must be dropped on the floor.

If it is not food, it must be tasted. If it is food, it must not be tasted.
If it is a carseat, it must be protested with an arched back.

If it is Mommy (or Daddy), it must be hugged.

Mothers of toddlers, UNITE!