No, it can't be...

"Sounds like the terrible two's to me...". I have heard this phrase more times then I would like lately.

It was not long ago that "Time Out" was instituted in our household. Since that date, Autumn has become very familiar with the process, because she seems to visit "Time Out" so often. In the one and a half years that Autumn has been outside of the womb, she has figured out what she is and is not allowed to do. She knows the words "No" and "Don't touch that", I know this because I often hear her saying both to our dogs.

So when Autumn is doing something, grabbing for something, or climbing somewhere I would rather she not, I ask her to please stop. Sometimes she will stop after the first request, but more often then not I find myself asking and then asking again. Then comes the question, "Autumn, do you want to go to time out?" Now, I always laugh when I ask her this. I always thought it was funny when my mom asked me questions she already knew the answers to.

Autumn will always shake her head and say "No", she does not want to go to time out. This response usually happens while she continues whatever it is she is not supposed to be doing. "Autumn, if you do (insert bad behavior here) one more time you're going to time out." And the behavior continues.

So at this point, I have to put her in time out. I don't want her to get the impression that I am making empty threats. Not to mention learning that whole consequences to your actions thing. So off to time out she goes for one minute ( I read somewhere that a young child should stay in time out one minute for every year old they are). After that minute has passed, I go in and get her (my husband and I have agreed that whichever parent initiates the visit to time out is the one who does the rescuing , so as to avoid that Good Guy, Bad Guy thing).

I explain to Autumn the reason she was put in time out and we end the ordeal with a kiss.

Obviously, not listening is the reason for Autumn's frequent trips to time out. However, there is something else she has recently begun, while refusing to listen. After being asked to stop the first time, Autumn will turn around, look at me, smile, and continue doing whatever it is she is doing. Ugh, this kills me. All I can think is this cannot be happening already, she's only 18 months old!

I shared this story with my mother the other night. Her response? Pure joy and laughter. I wonder why?