From Little Man to Little Horror

I know I am biased but I do believe my Little Man is just so delightful. Apart from the odd occasion when he has good reason, he is a happy, easy going, loving little chap and therefore a delight to be around. So many people comment on his good manners (oh yes, he gives 'please' and 'thank you' as required) and how kind he is, always happy to share his snack when asked and sometimes when not asked. He gives cuddles and kisses when asked and as his mother I even have the privilege of impromptu displays of affection, maternal bliss! Yes, he truly is a gem. Until today. Oh, how the worm turned. I have chatted to other mothers who warn of this 'change', read articles that debate the 'change' and watched other little people who have already 'changed' but I really wasn't ready for it to happen to my little man. With the well documented 'terrible two's' we have had one or two moments but they have, so far, passed without too much of the tantrums and trauma (they may be called the terrible twos but most mothers will tell you it starts well before 18 months) and I felt that I had at least another five to six months before I had to face this next developmental stage. That was until this afternoon. Let me set the scene. It is a pleasant Wednesday afternoon, the sun is thin and watery but so very welcome after the endless weeks of rain and wind so spirits and moods are up. Little Man has three of his other friends round to play and us mothers were there having a catch up while supervising. Then to my absolute shock and horror my lovely, kind, gentle little fellow suddenly takes umbrage to one of his friends sitting in his chair and hits her... twice. I moved across the room so fast anyone would of thought I was training for the 2012 London Olympics. I profusely apologies to her mother and then firmly insisted he said sorry before whisking him out the room to give him a moment to reflect. On re-entering the room he immediately went over to another friend and grabbed him to pull him out of the aforementioned chair. Again a firm insistence for sorry and this time we had a very first experience of the time-out step. He cried a bit, looked a little confused and my heart melted as I totally understood his confusion. Why was everyone sitting in his chair and why was his mummy being cross with him. It broke my heart. How confusing his world suddenly became as he realised he had ownership of his possessions and no idea on the concept of the skill of sharing and politely taking turns. Much as it wrenched at the heart-strings I was also very aware that this was a phase to come, it will be around for quite a while and only a firm and consistent stance will help him understand the ever changing and complex rules of our social boundaries. I certainly have my work cut out, teaching him to be respectful to his friends and treat them gently, learn to share his toys and take turns with lots of pl ease's and thank yous and a good smattering of apologies as required. Each time I have to be firm and he cries a little bit of my heart will break but I will always hold onto the hope that with time the phase will pass and he will of learnt such an important life skill that as he develops into a gorgeous young man who is a delight to be around then those broken bits will heal as my heart swells with pride at what an amazing person he has continued to progress into. But until then if the rest of this afternoon was anything to go by (he didn't improve much after the first to incidents) I have a lovable little man to enjoy and at the same time a loveable little horror to train.