Toddler 'tude

You know that scene in "Finding Nemo" where all of the seagulls are gathered and there's an extremely annoying entertaining chorus of "mine, mine, mine"?

Yeah, that's what Elle reminded me of a few weeks ago.

She was in the tub and was playing contently with her bath toys. Then she looked at me, quite defensively, grabbed her plastic turtle and clutched it to her chest with a defiant "Mine!"

It was one of those parenting moments where I wanted to laugh but tried really, really hard not to. I was taken by surprise. And as it turns out, it was the first of many such proclamations.

While I think I've identified the source of who she picked up the less than savory behavior from (hello, my parental partner in crime who thinks everything is funny until our impressionable young daughter suddenly starts mimicking him), it hasn't been easy to curb.

I am sassy.

 We've emphasized good behavior, encouraging her to let us see something she has and praising her for sharing.

But she figured that bit out quickly, throwing me for a loop with the claim about her hands, her sippy cup: "MY hands. MY water." I can't argue with that. And I know that I sometimes do the same, with "those are Mommy's books" or "Daddy's shoes." She's going to learn her possessive pronouns, and her language development isn't the problem — it's the uncharacteristically snotty tone that she's using that has sent red flags up in my mommy brain.

We've taken an approach of trying to soften her attitude. When she says "MY hands," we say "Yes, Elle Belle's hands, but please be nice." I still sometimes get a softer, still defensive "Mine" in response, but progress is being made. I even heard her babbling in the car the other day, with a "be nice" thrown in the middle of the conversation.

I am silly.

We've also had plenty of exposure to the toddler favorite "No." Sometimes it is super cute, like when I ask her if she wants meatballs for lunch and get a sing song-y "No" in reply. (More cuteness if she copies the response for all other options, until I'm out of options and she's just getting whatever is easiest for me to make.) But other times? Nasty town. When I want to change her diaper, and she'd rather read. When I'm trying to get her to eat her veggies, and she's decided she'd rather starve.

These are challenging times, my friends. Luckily, the challenges don't make up the majority of our time, but it can certainly feel like the majority of my energy (the little energy that is left due to a lovely 18-month sleep regression) is being sapped as I try to react and redirect and respond appropriately, consistently. And I know this is just the beginning of a battle that will continue for years. (I also think I should finally skim through my copy of "Happiest Toddler on the Block." Message received, dear daughter.)

We're also on the cusp of a childcare change - one that will expose Elle (and her attitude) to several other children her age two days a week. While I'd like to think my darling daughter is perfect, I know better - she has her moments, and I'm eager to see how things go with increased socialization. Good habits, bad habits ... I think we're in for an interesting ride :)