Cade has taken up the hobby of smacking. And evil looks, which Brandon so aptly named “spanking with his eyes.” He’ll hit me, and I’ll say, “No, Cade, no hits. Say sorry.” And I’m angry, but I try not to let him see it, only my gentle (but also so, so firm) guiding hand. But then he looks up at me with those dark blue eyes and those long spidery lashes, and he smiles and shows the dimple in his left cheek, and he says, “Sowy Mama.”And I melt.
Until 2 minutes later, when he smacks me again.
And I repeat my speech. (Which seems to be working, as you can see.) (But I keep trying it.) (All to no avail.) (And yet.)
Or he’ll chuck his toys at the wall, chipping the paint. And he especially loves drawing on them with a pencil. And, so, so unfortunately, pencil scribbles do not erase from walls. I’ve tried. Desperately. Many times.
And then: repeat “sowy” cycle = stern mom, sweet boy, manipulate and melt my malleable (alliteration: 4 points!) heart…
Clearly, he does not really feel repentant for his misdeeds.
So, my question is this:
Is he simply in the Terrible Two’s, or do I suck at punishing (or lack thereof) my son?
I’m beginning to think my first is going to be really screwed up.
But at least he no longer humps the TV.
