How to Tell if You Have a 'Spirited' Child

1) If your child likes to flop around on the floor like a fish out of water and scream for about 5 minutes when you disrupt him from having his way, you might have a 'spirited' child (note of caution, if you then proceed to laugh because in some strange way you actually find this funny, child will only extend the flopping and screaming).

2) If your child, who is not yet 2, likes to say things like "No talking Mama!", "Quiet Mama!", "Stop it Mama!", "No touch my carseat Mama!", you might have a 'spirited' child.

3) If your child purposefully seeks to do the very things you told him not to do, and only because you told him not to, you might have a 'spirited' child.

4) If your child wants to see *just how far* he can go with what you're asking him not to do (ie...asking him not to put his feet on the table while eating, and he slowly inches his feet toward the edge of the table, getting that tiny corner of his toenail on the edge, but not going any further), you might have a spirited child.

In summary, our son has hit the ground running with this whole 'terrible twos' thing
is such a spirited child! :)

Merrick Goes to School

This coming Monday is Merrick's first day of preschool. We went to an orientation today to meet his teachers and see his new classroom. I'll tell you how that went in a minute --- but to get a full appreciation of how today went, let me give you some background leading up to today.

We (Craig and I) have been excited and nervous about this transition for Merrick. Right now we have him with a sitter who loves him to pieces, and he loves her and feels so comfortable with her. He pretty much gets her full attention as she only has him and her daughter (who is in preschool a good portion of the time). We thought now that he's older we would enlist him in this new preschool that actually takes 2 year olds, giving him the opportunity to learn to socialize with others, as well as learning from different teachers and with structured activities.

Here's how I envisioned we'd do it....we'd take him to his first day of school and hang out in the classroom with him for half the day. Then we'd take him to his current sitter the last half of the day, so he can slowly ease into this new setting. I figured we'd do this the first week (righhhht). When I explained my plan to the new teacher, she was agreeable, but I could tell it caught her off guard (apparently this is a unique request). She made the recommendation that I stay for a few minutes, and could call as much as I wanted to check in on him, etc, but said she respected whatever decision I made.

This morning we get to the classroom and for some reason I was expecting he'd cling to me. So imagine my surprise when the MINUTE we walked in he took right off. He was exploring the toys, climbing, talking to the other kids, talking to the teachers. I don't think he even remembered I was there! Then a few things dawned on me...first, I think I would be hindering him if I were to just tag along after him during the first couple days without letting him explore and meet new people. Second, I'm SERIOUSLY underestimating my son's ability to adapt to new environments/situations. Third, if I don't let loose on the 'leash' I'm in danger of raising a serious Mama's boy!!

I decided that I agreed completely with the teacher. Who am I kidding, he's going to love it there! I was talking to him about how we were going to visit his new school today, and when we pulled into the parking lot he said..."Mama, I so excited!". I just loved walking into the classroom and seeing his little name tag on his bin and right above a coat hanger for him to put his jacket. And I just can't wait for him to bring home that first art project that we can proudly display on our refrigerator. Oh, and you know what's really crazy? The teachers told me there are 2 kids named "Merrick" in the school. That's about as common as more than one Greta!!

In preparation for the big day, I bought him his very own backpack and lunch box:

Walk a Mile in Daddy's Shoes.....

Not as easy as one would think!