Something's going on...

Something is amiss around here with James. He hit Brandi with his Croc snowboot out of the blue the other night while she was over at our house craving our pumpkin. I sent him to timeout. He didn't argue or cry. Later that same night, he wanted an apple and I told him there was one in the refrigerator with a bite taken out of it. The teethmarks are his. He took a bite out of one from the bowl anyway. I sent him to timeout. There was no arguing and no crying. This morning, he asked for my very last piece of mint gum and I told him no. While I was out this morning, he got his stool from his bathroom, took it to my room and got it anyway. I know this because he told me when I saw him chewing gum after I returned home. I took the gum that we save for him and I made him spit out the mint gum he took. He didn't even seem to mind. No tantrum. No crying. Did he know it was wrong? I don't know what is going on. As I am writing this, I am thinking, "Am I saying "no" too much?". Do I need to rephrase my words so it always sounds like I am saying yes? For example, "Yes, James you can have some gum, strawberry or orange? The mint piece is mine.". It doesn't explain why he hit Brandi with his boot. Did he just want to play? Was he frustrated for some reason? He wanted to use the pumpkin carving tools so bad but didn't want to be taught how to use them. He just wanted to stab the little pumpkin I had for him. So, I let him. He was happy doing that. I carved a face on "Little Jack" for him and he liked the candle-lighting ceremony outside. With all this unruly behavior going on lately, I have picked up my Love and Logic book in the hopes I will find some answers in it. The 2 things that have recently stuck with me is that, #1 the more control we try to exert on our kids, the more they push back...at any age. And, #2, we can't control what they eat OR what they think. It's a little terrifying and a little freeing to know that. The book's premise is that parents need to raise children that will become moral, responsible adults who can make sound decisions. And, even an infant can make decisions (with boundaries) and should be allowed to do so. I am telling myself this is a phase. For now. I am also reminding myself that my child is not perfect (can you even believe it?!? ;)) and he shouldn't be expected to be such. And, lastly, I am not perfect. Oh the horror! Ha! No need to comment if you agree. Hmmmm. Maybe he needs MORE activity. His curiosity is insatiable here lately. Well, we do have 2 field trips this week. We are going to the farm tomorrow to learn how butter is made and to play, play, play. He will have a sleep over with MawMaw also. And on Friday, we are going to Daylight Donuts to see how donuts are made. That should keep his busy little mind and his busy little body occupied.