Maybe it is the heat (and humidity) or maybe it is because it rained 22 out of the past 28 days but boy has Cole turned up his "sass" factor. I have been shocked at his outright brazen attitude as of late. Where has my sweet little boy gone a hiding?
The sheer amount of timeouts has grown exponentially over the past month. Did turning three and half flip some sassy switch? His preferred method for showing displeasure used to be a pouty lip, the question "why" or some tears. Recently, his retorts have taken a much bolder approach and as such his expressive use of backtalk is landing him on our "naughty step".
He has taken us both by surprise with not only his choice of words but the way in which he delivers his message. His smart-alecky tone has taken quite a turn and though I have been so dutifully careful as a parent to limit my moments of sarcasm/anger, it is obvious that Cole is mimicking my behavior in part as how else would he have learned to become so flippant. *sigh*
In SuperTarget the other day, I had asked him NOT to repeatedly open the freezer doors, NOT to knock on the bottles of spaghetti sauce as we walked down that aisle, NOT to pull the bananas apart...it was becoming the grocery trip where I just wanted to leave the cart and walk out. He sensed my growing frustration and finally backed off, tossing me a cheeky smile as if to say "okay, I'll behave for now....". I had breathed a sigh of relief and trudged on. We got in line for check-out and he kept pulling the cart out into the area beyond the registers as I attempted to load the bags and pay. I had already warned him that a timeout was imminent. Once again, he pulled the cart away and flashed me an impish grin. I roughly pulled the cart back and said "okay, I see you chose a timeout".. He decided to test me in front of the cashier and the growing line of people behind me. I swear with a rather amused expression he goes "No, mommy, we are at the store, you can't do that here". Oh really? Well, let's just say that the wall between the water fountains and the eye clinic was where he stood for the better part of four minutes with tears cascading down his face. I felt the heat in my own face as complete strangers made their unnecessary judgments but I knew it was what had to be been done.
Cole is definitely aware that he is on a slippery slope so I have been consistent with my discipline to this unwanted attitude. Hopefully it is just a phase of him experimenting with his growing independence. I don't mind him having an opinion but he will most certainly be learning to leave the sass at the door.
1 comment:
I can totally relate to this...we are experienceing the same thing! I always feel so alone it, too. It makes me feel better to know Kaleb is probably totally normal and this will pass! Stay strong :)
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