A Compliant Temper Tantrum?

It seems only yesterday that my daughter and I were navigating the terrible twos (and, in her case, the even more terrible threes), complete with frequent temper tantrums of one sort or another. I hoped for a brief reprieve before I had to tackle that same journey with my son.

But it's become clear over the last few weeks that Luke is entering toddlerhood with his own temper and sense of outrage when the world doesn't work quite the way he wants. At 18 months, he still prefers to express his anger by collapsing on the floor and screaming. But he is learning the power of "no."

And, yet, even as he steps falteringly into independent toddlerhood, he remains my - at least somewhat - complaint child. His struggle between agreeable compliance and toddler opposition are often on display as he tells me "no," but then proceeds to do exactly what he's been asked.

A few days ago, I was getting him ready for bed when he grabbed his pajamas, threw them on the floor, and shouted, "No way!"

"Yes, way," I said as I picked up his pajamas.

He took a couple of steps away, looked at me defiantly, and, in the most confrontational voice he could muster, said "Way!" And, then, he walked back over to me and held his arms out so I could begin putting his pajamas on.

I can only hope all our arguments will be resolved as easily!