perfecting his toddlerness

We've been fortunate when it comes to experiencing notorious toddler behavior. At nearly two and a half years old, Z-Dub has never really acted out in extreme defiance, with kicking and screaming meltdowns. That is until now. It seems as though Z-Dub has finally discovered and embraced true toddlerness. Simply put, lately he's become a brat. Sometimes a brat of epic proportions.

Our days of pride of our well-mannered two-year-old have turned into embarrassing public temper tantrums, because HE doesn't want to go where we need to go or HE wants what HE wants and nothing else. He's a stubborn little one and when he doesn't get his way the result is high-pitched screams, flailing arms and legs, and defiant language. When this happens in public we can do nothing more than go with the flow and try to make a quick exit as stares from strangers make us feel like parenting failures. I don't care about that though because I'm pretty confident in my assumption that this behavior is common among kids Z-Dub's age. We just have to deal with it the best way we know how. Right now it's the time out. We've actually resorted to having to enforce time outs in public in addition to home. We just find a secluded chair or bench. The juries out on whether it works or not. Again, it's all new to us.

Another thing Z-Dub has suddenly embraced is the early wake up. Until recently the boy would sleep in until we actually went to his room and woke him up. He's always been that way. Now, of course, he likes to wake up at first light, or sometimes before. This week, for example:

Monday: 5:42 a.m.
Tuesday: 5:42 a.m.
Wednesday: 5:38 a.m.

We don't appreciate being woken up before our alarms even go off. It's also hard to get ready in the morning when you have to entertain a toddler. Unfortunately, it's our new reality.

I know...I know...welcome to the club!