The two-year itch

Sometimes in the land of blogs, it's easier not to update than to figure out what and why to write about something. And in the life of an ever-changing little human, deciding when to listen to yourself or your dad is hard to figure out.

Jordan is now eight years and almost three months old. For the past year, he's been growing in character and personality at a greater and greater rate. Mostly, that's been all right. Sometimes he needs a little push or pull to one side or the other of a decision he makes. That's to be expected. I'm the same. Except no one is pushing me much.

Every couple of years, his independence runs smack into the rules of adults, and we have to intervene in ways not entirely fun. And it's been the same thing each time: he doesn't want to follow rules.

This time, he might have gotten the idea that because we didn't make a big deal every time he got into trouble for some little thing, we didn't care, which meant that he could do anything he wanted, trouble or not. He says that isn't the case, but sometimes we agree to disagree.

Whatever the cause, a thorough talk--complete with chances for him to ask his questions and tell his side--brought him to the point that his disobedience turned around completely, and his habit of making excuses for everything he did wrong decreased at least 50 percent.

I want to be careful that he doesn't feel like my dislike of his excuses means I don't want him to talk to me about problems. I'm learning in this deal just as he is, and together, and by the grace of God, we should get through pretty good.